BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH, 


BULL  RUN  TO  FREDERICKSBURGH; 


WITH  SKETCHES  OF  CONFEDERATE  COMMANDERS,  AND  GOSSIP  OF 

THE  CAMPS. 


LIBUTBKANT    or    AETILLKRY    ox    THK    FIKLD    STAFF. 
(0 


WITH  TWO 


JOHN    BRADBURN,    No.   49    WALKER    STREET. 

SUCCKSSOR    TO    M.    DOOLADT. 

1864. 
1C 


ffoR 

tit* 


CONTENTS. 


INTRODUCTION, 


CHAPTER  I. 


»  First  Acts  of  Secession  —  Measures  of  the  Southern  Leaders  —  Major  Anderson 

and  Fort  Sumter  —  Southern  Preparations  for  War  —  Drilling  of  Volun- 
teers —  Preparing  to  march  —  Patriotic,  Spirit  of  the  South  —  Journey  by  Rail  — 
Camp  at  Corinth  —  Regimental  Officers  —  A*Tragical  Episode,  ...  1 

s 

U  CHAPTER  II. 

,  Despatch  of  Troops  —  State  of  Southern  Arsenals  and  Stores^-Practices  of  the   . 

Jews  —  Troops  ordered  to  Virginia  —  Rejoicings  in  the  Camp—  Hospitalities 
;?  on  the  Road  —  Patriotism  of  the  Women  —  Northern  Sympathies  in  East- 

U>  Tennessee  —  Camp  at  Lynchburgh  —  By  Rail  to  Manassas  Station,        .        .14 

s 

CHAPTER  HI. 

Arrival  at  Manassas  —  Appearance  of  Things  by  Night  —  Operations  of  Our  Army 

O  opposed  to  Patterson  around  Harper's  Ferry  —  Forward  Movements  of  the 

Enemy  —  Jackson  opens  the  Ball  —  Colonel  Maxey  Gregg  attacks  the  North- 

.^  ern  Troops  on  the  Railway  at  Vienna  —  Earthworks  at  Manassas  —  Strength 

of  our  Troops  —  Scouting  Parties  —  Letter  from  a  Friend,  giving  Details  of 

the  Action  at  Carthage,     ..........    20 

•w 

CHAPTER  IV. 

*  Warlike  Preparations  around  Manassas  —  Beauregard  and  other  Generals  —  Our 
Position  at  Bull  Run  —  Advance  of  the  Enemy  —  A  Night  Surprise—  Loss  to 
the  Enemy  —  General  Tyler  advances  to  force  a  Passage  at  Blackburn's 
Ford  —  Battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  eighteenth  —  The  Enemy  retire,  with  Loss  — 
Anxiety  regarding  Johnston's  Movements  —  Night  Adventures  —  Courage  of 
an  English  Landowner  —  Our  Generals  forewarned  of  meditated  Movements,  3  1 

CHAPTER  V. 

Battle  of  Manassas  Plains,  Sunday,  July  twenty-first  —  Disposition  of  the  Southern 
Forces  —  Plans  of  the  Enemy  —  The  main  Battle  on  our  Left  —  Struggle  at 


462439 


IV  CONTENTS. 

TAG* 

Sudley  Ford  and  Stone  Bridge — Attack  of  Louisiana  Irish — Critical  Situa- 
tion of  our  Forces — Stonewall  Jackson — Preparations  for  a  final  Advance 
on  both  Sides — Arrival  of  Johnston's  Reenforcements — Total  Eout  of  tho 
Enemy, 40 

CHAPTER  VI. 

The  Pursuit — Immense  Booty — Our  Prisoners  and  their  Behavior — A  Ride 
over  the  Field  of  Action — Incidents  of  the  Fight— Arrival  of  President 
Davis  during  the  Action,  and  its  Effect — Behavior  of  the  New- York  Fire 
Zouaves — The  victorious  Army  did  not  advance  upon  Washington  or  Mary- 
land— Relic-mongers  on  the  Field  of  Battle — Personal  Appearance  of  Pres- 
ident Davis — Sketches  of  Evans  and  Longstreet, 62 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Battle  of  Oak  Hill  in  Missouri — The  Confederates  under  Price  and  McCulloch 
are  surprised,  but  prove  victorious — Death  of  the  Federal  General  Lyon, 
and  Promotion  of  General  Fremont — Misunderstanding  between  Southern 
Generals — Cruel  Devastation  of  the  Country  by  Federal  Troops — Character 
of  Fremont — Siege  and  Capture  of  Lexington  by  Price — Immense  Booty,  60 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

March  to  Leesburgh — Fertility  and  Beauty  of  Loudon — We  are  subjected  to 
many  Alarms,  much^Labor,  and  incessant  Dutv — Cavalry  Fights — Perfidy  of 
Northern  Sympathizers — Infantry  Encounters — Marauding  Parties  of  the 
Enemy  cross  into  Virginia — Their  Capture  and  Punishment — Artillery 
Duels — Heavy  Picket  Firing — Movements  of  the  Enemy,  who  mass  heavy 
Forces,  and  endeavor  to  shell  Leesburgh  from  their  superior  Position,  .  71 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Fortifications  of  the  Enemy — General  Banks  at  Harper's  Ferry — Cavalry  Raids 

and  Picket  Guard  on  the  Upper  Potomac — The  little  Town  of  Waterford 

Our  Scouts  in  Maryland— Daring  of  Elijah  White— Capture  of  McClellan's 
Orderlies,  . ^g 

CHAPTER  X. 

Position  at  Manassas— Ashby  at  Harper's  Ferry — His  Preparations  for  Attack 
—Our  Artillery  cooperate— Incidents  of  the  Fight — General  McCall  leaves 
Drainsville,  and  threatens  our  Retreat — Our  alarming  Position— To  Goose 
Creek  and  back  again, .89 

CHAPTER  XI. 

What  the  Enemy  did  when  our  Forces  had  left  Leesburgh— Plots  of  Union 
Traitors  during  our  Absence— Threatened  Approach  of  the  Enemy  from 
Drainsville  upon  our  Right  Flank— We  march  out  to'  the  Attack,  Sunday, 
October  twentieth— Capture  of  a  Federal  Courier— The  Ruse  discovered- 
Plans  of  Stone,  Baker,  and  Banks— Countermarch  to  the  Feuy  Road- 
Watching  the  River— Shell-firing  by  the  Enemy— The  Enemy  cross  in  Force 


CONTENTS.  .  V 

PAOB 

at  Ball's  Bluff  on  Sunday  Night,  and  at  Edward's  Ferry,  Goose  Creek,  and 
other  Passages  on  Monday  Morning — Details  of  the  Battle  of  Leesburgh — 
General  Baker  killed — Colonel  Coggswell  with  eight  hundred  Men  taken 
Prisoners — Great  Slaughter — Victory  of  the  Confederate  Forces — Retreat 
of  the  Enemy  to  Maryland — Our  Reenforcements  arrive,  .  .  .  .94 

CHAPTER  XH. 

Effects  of  the  Battle  of  Leesburgh,  or  Ball's  Bluff,  on  Public  Opinion  in  the 
Country,  North  and  South — The  Yankees  churn  a  Victory  as  usual — Gene- . 
ral  Stone  arrested  and  sent  to  Fort  Warren — Remarkable  Incidents  of  the 
War — A  Fraternal  Rencontre — The  Negroes  with  either  Army — Humorous 
Incidents — Evans  is  sent  to  defend  his  Native  State,  South-Carolina — Gene- 
ral D.  Hill  assumes  Command — Fortifications  are  erected — We  prepare  for 
Winter  Quarters, ....  107 

CHAPTER  Xin. 

Winter  Quarters — Amusements  of  the  Men — Cock-fighting,  Racing,  Snow-ball- 
ing, Singing-clubs,  etc. — I  visit  Richmond,  and  see  the  Fortifications  of  Man- 
assas,  en  route — Affectation  of  Military  Rank  at  the  Capital — Gaiety  of  the 
Place — Solons  out  of  Place — Much  Wisdom  thrown  away — Scarcity  and 
high  Price  of  Provisions — Commodores  Lynch  and  Hollins — Major-General 
Pryor, 112 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

The  Battle  of  Belmont,  on  the  Mississippi,  described  in  a  Letter  from  a  Friend — 
The  Forces  of  General  Pillow  surprised  by  Grant — The  Southern  Troops 
narrowly  escape  a  Defeat — Reenforcements  from  General  Polk  and  Colum- 
bus— Arrival  of  Polk  on  the  Field — The  Federal  Troops  defeated  and  Spoils 
taken — Characters  of  General  Pillow  and  General  Polk  compared — Misrep- 
resentations of  the  Northern  Press, .118 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Winter  Quarters  continued — Scant  Rations  supplied  to  the  Troops — High  Prices 
of  Provisions  and  Clothing  resulting  from  the  Blockade — Sufferings  of  the 
Poor — Refugees  from  Kentucky — True  State  of  Public  Feeling  there — Let- 
ter from  a  Friend,  containing  an  Account  of  the  Opening  of  the  Campaign 
in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee — Battle  of  Mill  Springs,  January  first,  1862 — 
General  Zollicoffer  and  most  of  his  Staff  killed — Surrender  of  Fort  Donnel- 
son,  February  ninth— Strange  Conduct  of  General  Floyd,  .  .  .123 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Battle  of  "  Elk  Horn,"  Missouri,  March  seventh,  1862 — Incidents  and  Sketches 
of  the  War  in  that  State — Colonel  Fremont  superseded  in  the  Command  of 
the  Federals — General  Van  Dorn — Our  Guerrilla  Horse — Breach  of  parole 
by  Northern  Troops — McCulloch  and  Mclntoah  killed  -Our  Forces  retire — 
The  Loss  on  either  side, .  .  .131 


yi  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

FAoa 

Jackson's  Doings  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley — Character  of  this  General — Ash- 
by's  Cavalry  Force — Heavy  Marching — Bivouac  in  the  Snow — Ruse  of  Jack- 
son and  Capture  of  the  Enemy's  Stores — Battle  of  Kearnstown,  March 
twenty-third — Scenes  and  Incidents  during  the  Fight — General  Garnett 
accused  as  the  Cause  of  our  Defeat, 141 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Fall  of  "Island  No.  10,"  April  fifth — Battle  of  Shiloh,  April  sixth — Capture  of 
Guns — General  Albert  Sidney  Johnston  killed — The  Battle  resumed  at 
Daybreak — The  Enemy  are  reenforced  by  Buell — The  Confederate  Army 
retreats — Great  Loss — False  Reports  of  the  Federal  Generals,  .  .  .151 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Movements  in  Virginia,  and  Opening  of  the  Campaign,  April,  1862 — Troops 
begin  to  move  on  the  Upper  Potomac  in  March — McClellan  prepares  to  flank 
Manassas,  by  marching  heavy  Masses  up  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  and  cross- 
ing the  Mountains  at  Snickersville — A  general  Retreat  is  ordered  by  John- 
•ston — He  retires  to  Culpeper  Court-House,  and  makes  his  Line  behind  the 
Rappahannock — Ruse  of  the  Enemy,  and  Design  upon  Yorktown — The  Ap- 
proach to  Richmond  in  that  Direction  is  not  so  easy  as  conjectured  by 
McClella% — Our  "Lines"  at  Yorktown — McClellan's  Progress  is  stopped 
there — Balloon  Reconnoissances  of  the  Enemy — Artillery  Assaults  on  our 
Works — Great  Distress  amongst  our  Troops— Outpost  Adventures — Ambi- 
tious Generals — Attack  on  Dam  No.  1 — Frightful  Destruction  of  Life — 
Horrible  Neglect  of  the  wounded  by  the  Federals — A  Texan  in  search  of  a 
Pair  of  Boots, .161 

/ 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Fall  of  New  Orleans,  April  twenty -fourth — Preparations  of  Commodore  Hollins 
for  the  Defence — Bombardment  of  the  Forts — Naval  Engagements — De- 
struction of  Cotton — Evacuation  of  the  City — Possession  taken  by  Commo- 
dore Farragut — Arrival  of  General  Butler — His  brutal  Attacks  upon  the 
Ladies  of  New-Orleans — Examples  from  his  General  Orders,  .  .  .  180 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Of  our  Officers  generally — Regimental  Officers — Surgeons  and  Parsons — Epis- 
copalian Ministers — Roman  Catholic  Priests — Jesuits  on  the  Field  of 
Battle,  . 193 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Things  at  Yorktown  Lines  continued — We  evacuate  Yorktown  Lines — Battle 
of  Williamsburgh,  May  fifth— It  is  claimed,  as  usual,  by  the  Federals  as  a 
"  Brilliant  Victory " — Facts  of  the  Matter — We  offer  the  Enemy  Battle 
twice  before  entering  our  Lines  around  Richmond,  etc.,  .  .  .  .197 


CONTENTS.  vii 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Military  Transactions  in  May — Our  Army  continues  to  fall  back  upon  Rich- 
mond— I  am  despatched  to  the  City  with  Prisoners— Hospitality  of  the  Vir- 
ginian Farmers — News  received  en  route — Evacuation  of  Norfolk — Destruc- 
tion of  the  Merrimac — The  Defences  of  Richmond— Treatment  of  Prison- 
ers— Our  Army  forms  Line  of  Battle  North  of  the  Chickahominy — Position 
of  McClellan — I  receive  a  Staff  Appointment — Table  Talk,  etc.,  .  .  208 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Preparations  for  the  Defence  of  Richmond  in  May — Operation  of  the  Conscript 
Law — Earthworks  and  other  Defences  designed  by  Lee— Arrival  of  Federal 
Boats  and  Iron-clads — Works  at  Drury's  Bluff — Immense  Raft — Capture  of 
Richmond  anticipated — Position  of  the  two  Armies  on  the  Chickahominy-— 
Number  of  Troops  on  either  side — McClellan  advances,  ....  218 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

Occurrences  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley — Battles  of  "  Front  Royal,"  May  twenty- 
third — Capture  of  Winchester  and  Thousands  of  Prisoners  by  Jackson — 
Rout  of  Banks's  Corps— Immense  Booty, 226 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

Battle  of  the  Chickahominy,  or  "  Seven  Pines  " — The  Plan  of  Battle — Annihi- 
lation of  the  Enemy's  Left — Loss  of  either  Army — General  Johnston 
wounded, 237 

CHAPTER  XXVIL 

Further  Details  of  the  Chickahominy  Battle — Longstreet  succeeds  to  the  Com- 
mand— General  Lee  the  acknowledged  Chief — Skirmish  at  Fair  Oaks,  an 
Episode — Gossip  of  Officers — Scenes  and  Incidents  of  the  Battle — Our  Ne- 
gro Servants — The  Louisiana  Zouaves — Brigadier-General  Jenkins  and  the 
South-Carolinians — Care  of  our  Wounded  in  Richmond — Hospital  Scenes,  .  247 

CHAPTER  XXVIH. 

Table  Talk — Curious  Instances  of  the  Force  of  Imagination  during  the  War- 
Arguments  in  Vindication  of  the  Southern  Cause,  .....  260 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Talk  about  Slavery — Comparison  of  the  Slave  System  with  the  Free-labor  Sys- 
tem of  Europe — Comfortable  Condition  of  Negroes  on  the  Plantations — 
Their  Indifference  and  even  Dislike  to  Freedom — Insincerity  of  the  North- 
ern Fanatics — Their  Treatment  of  Free  Negroes — Crucial  Testa  of  the  Doc- 
trine that  all  Men  are  born  free  and  equal — The  Question  considered  on  reli- 
gious and  social  Grounds — Attachment  of  Negroes  to  their  Masters — Anec- 
dotes, ;  •  273 


Viii  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

PA  01 

June — Jackson  in  the  Valley — Shields  and  Fremont — Battle  of  "  Cross 
Keys"— Ashby  killed  —  Battle  of  "  Port  Republic  "—End  of  the  Valley 
Campaign  and  Rout  of  the  Enemy, 286 

A 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

June — Stuart's  famous  Raid  round  McClellan's  Lines  before  Richmond — Cow- 
ardice of  the  Enemy — Incidents  at  each  Stage  of  the  March — Gallantry  of 
a  young  Lady — Attack  on  a  Railway  Train — Appropriation  of  McClellan'a 
Stores — Return  to  Camp  with  Booty  and  Prisoners — Sketch  of  General 
Stuart — Affair  at  Drainsville — General  Joe  Johnston,  .  .  .  .296 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

Gossip  in  Camp — Of  Dress,  Discipline,  and  Arms — Preference  for  Breech-load- 
ing Weapons — The  Parrott,  the  Whitworth,  and  the  Armstrong  Guns — Ger- 
man Muskets — Advantage  of  Rifles  over  Muskets  in  Action — The  Maynard 
Rifle — Berdan's  Sharpshooters — Our  Sanitary  Condition — Of  our  Medical 
Staff — Mortality  amongst  our  Men,  and  its  Cause — Insufficient  and  inferior 
Supplies — Of  "  Baggage  "  and  Transportation, 307 

.    CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

June  twenty-sixth — Commencement  of  the  Week's  Campaign  before  Rich- 
mond— Battles  of  "  Mechanicsville,"  "  Beaver  Dam  Creek,"  and  "  Ellison's 
r      Mills" — Terrific  Battle-Scene — Preparations  for  a  further  Advance,   .        .  321 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

The  Week's  Campaign  before  Richmond,  continued — Battle  of  Gaines's  Mill — 
Sketches  of  the  Generals  previous  to  the  Battle — Position  of  Jackson — Ad- 
vance of  Wilcox,  Featherstone,  and  Pryor — The  Centre  under  Ambrose 
Hill  —  The  Texan  Brigade  brought  into  Action  —  McClellan's  Infantry 
Charge— Defeat  of  his  Right  Wing  and  Centre— The  Field  of  Battle- 
Capture  of  Guns  and  Booty — Death  of  Major  Wheat — Confederates  in 
Striped  Pantaloons, 332 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

Retrospect — Additional  Particulars  from  one  of  Stuart's  Cavalry — Capture  of 
D6p6ts  and  Stores  during  the  Action — Public  Feeling  at  Richmond — McClel- 
lan  begins  his  Retreat  to  the  James  River — Operations  on  the  South  Bank 
of  the  Chickahominy — Commencement  of  the  Pursuit — The  Railway  Mem- 
mac — Difficult  Nature  of  the  Country, 346 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Pursuit  ofMcClellan  continued — Battle  ofFrazier's  Farm,  June  thirtieth — Terri- 
fic Fighting— Total  Rout  of  the  Enemy— Capture  of  Major-General  McCall — 


CONTENTS.  IX 


Precarious  Position  of  General  Hill  —  His  Genius  and  Daring  —  Gossip  with 
a  Contraband,    ............  35C 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

The  Pursuit  of  McClellan  continued  —  Where  is  Old  Jackson  ?  —  The  Federal 
Troops  kept  in  ignorance  of  their  Retreat  —  Use  of  Federal  Cavalry  —  The 
Seventh  New-York  —  Battle  of  Malvern  Hill  —  Desperate  Engagement,  July 
first  —  Reckless  Sacrifice  of  Life  by  Magruder—  Gallantry  of  Colonel  Nor- 
man —  The  Enemy,  fully  routed  and  demoralized,  seek  Protection  under  their 
Gun-boata,  ..........  •  .  .366 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

Recapitulation  and  "  Official  "  Review  of  the  "  Week's  Campaign"  —  Loss  and 
Gain  —  Scenes  and  Incidents  of  the  Struggle  —  The  Federal  Army  massed 
round  the  Heights  of  Berekley  —  Night  Attack  by  our  Artillery,  and  Fearful 
Destruction  —  Subsequent  Demonstration  of  McClellan  —  General  Pope  and 
other  Northern  Commanders  rising  in  favor,  ......  380 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Movements  of  Beauregard's  Army  in  Mississippi,  after  the  Battle  of  Shiloh  — 
Our  Defences  at  Corinth  —  General  Halleck  takes  command  of  the  combin- 
ed Armies  of  Buell  and  Grant,  and  follows  on  to  Corinth  —  Both  Armies  in- 
trench —  Magnitude  of  the  Federal  Works  —  Beauregard  suddenly  retreats 
to  Tullahoma  —  Policy  of  his  Retreat  —  The  Federals  do  not  follow  —  Part 
of  our  Force  detached  from  Beauregard,  and,  under  command  of  Van  Dora, 
sent  to  defend  Vicksburgh  against  the  fleet  of  Commodore  Farragut  advanc- 
ing up  from  the  Gulf,  and  Commodore  Foote's  Squadron  of  Gunboats  com- 
ing down  the  River  from  St.  Louis  —  Building  of  the  Rebel  Ram  Arkansas  — 
She  forces  the  Mouth  of  the  Yazoo  River,  and  runs  the  Gauntlet  of  the 
fleet  —  Night  Bombardment  of  Vicksburgh  —  Flight  of  the  Federals  —  Capture 
of  a  Federal  Despatch  Boat,  .........  404 

CHAPTER  XL. 

Movements  in  Virginia  and  Preparation  for  the  Fall  Campaign  —  Pope,  and  the 
New  Federal  Army  on  the  Rappahannock  —  Combinations  of  the  Enemy  de- 
veloping by  McClellan  on  our  Right  and  Pope  on  the  Left  —  Preparations 
and  Dispositions  of  General  Lee  —  Jackson  is  sent  in  the  Van  —  What  he 
does,  and  the  Manner  of  doing  it  —  He  breaks  the  Advance  Corps  of  his  old 
Friend,  Banks—  Battle  of  Cedar  Mountain,  ......  423 

CHAPTER  XLI. 

August  twelfth  to  thirty-first  —  Pope,  still  in  Force,  watches  Jackson  on  the  Rapi- 
dan  —  The  rapid  Concentration  of  Confederate  Forces  there  —  Retreat  of  Pope 
to  the  Rappahannock,  who  establishes  his  Head-quarters  at  Catlett's  Station  — 
Stuart  makes  an  effort  to  capture  that  General,  but  arriving  too  late,  seizes, 
all  his  Wearing  Apparel,  Books,  Papers,  Plans,  private  and  official  Corre- 
spondence —  Successful  Flank  Movement  of  Jackson  round  Pope's  Right  and 


X  CONTENTS. 

PAG  I 

Bear — He  captures  and  destroys  immense  Stores  at  Manassas  Junction,  and 
disperses  a  Brigade  sent  from  Alexandria  to  protect  them — Sudden  Retreat 
of  Pope's  Army  towards  Manassas — Engages  Jackson  with  superior  Forces, 
but  without  Results — Advance  of  Longstreet  through  Thoroughfare  Gap, 
who  soundly  thrashes  General  Reno,  stationed  there  to  dispute  the  Passage — 
Longstreet  forms  a  Junction  with  Jackson  on  the  latter's  Right — Arrival 
of  General  Lee — Heavy  Reenforcements  pour  into  Pope's  Army — Second 
Battle  of  Manassas — Rout  of  the  Enemy — Scenes  on  the  Battle-field,  .  434 

CHAPTER  XLII. 

The  Battle-field — Capture  of  Prisoners — Confusion  of  the  Enemy's  Retreat  to 
Centreville — Loss  of  Baggage — Bivouac  on  the  Field — Conversation  of  Offi- 
cers with  Prisoners — Burnside  and  McClellan's  Reenforcements — How  their 
Destination  was  changed  from  Point  to  Point  by  the  Rapidity  of  Lee's  Move- 
ments— Retrospect — The  Strong  Position  of  Centreville  is  turned  by  one  of 
Jackson's  fast  Flank  Movements — The  Enemy  fall  back  'from  Centreville  hi 
great  Haste  and  Confusion — Heavy  Skirmishing  with  the  Enemy's  Rear 
Guard  near  Fairfax — Death  of  Generals  Stevens  and  Kearny — Further  Re- 
treat of  the  Enemy,  who  enter  their  Fortified  Lines  round  Arlington  Heights  , 
and  Alexandria — Jackson  crosses  into  Maryland— He  is  followed  by  several 
Confederate  Divisions,  which  hold  the  Mountain  Passes  at  Boonsboro — 
Jackson  suddenly  moves  from  Frederick  City, 454 

CHAPTER  XLIIL 

McClellan's  unaccountable  Inaction — Activity  of  Lee  and  Jackson — Engage- 
ments at  the  South  Mountain — Approach  of  the  Federals  to  Sharpsburgh — 
Battle  of  Antietam,  or  Sharpsburgh,  September  seventeenth— An  Indecisive 
Engagement — Retreat  of  the  Southern  Army  into  Virginia— Jackson  guards 
the  Rear,  and  Repulse  of  the  Enemy's  Advance-guard,  etc.,  .  .  .478 

CHAPTER  XLIV.> 

McClellan  again  invades  Virginia— Sigel  is  pushed  forward  from  Washington, 
and  takes  Position  at  Manassas — The  Federal  main  Army  moves  East  of  the 
Blue  Ridge,  and  has  Headquarters  at  Warrenton — Lee  marches  in  a  parallel 
Line  through  the  Shenandoah  Valley — Surprise  and  Flight  of  Sigel  upon  the 
Appearance  of  Confederate  Cavalry — Change  of  Federal  Commanders — 
Rapid  March  of  the  Federals  to  the  Rappahannock — Battle  of  Fredericks- 
burg,  December  thirteenth,  .......  .  493 


INTRODUCTION. 


ALTHOUGH  the  following  narrative  sufficiently  explains  itself 
and  is  replete  with  evidence  of  the  author's  feeling,  and  of  the 
point  of  view  from  which  he  has  regarded  the  fratricidal  strife 
still  raging  in  America,  it  may  be  permitted  him  to  remark  in 
this  place,  that  the  impulse  by  which  he  was  prompted  in  bear- 
ing arms  for  the  Southern  cause,  was  simply  that  inherent  love 
of  liberty  which  animates  every  English  heart.  With  all  to 
lose  and  naught  to  gain  in  opposing  the  tyranny  of  Federal 
rule,  and  with  no  legal  or  political  tie  to  North  or  South,  he 
could  not,  in  manhood,  stand  idly  by,  and  gaze  upon  the  des- 
potism which  a  blind  and  fanatical  majority  sought  to  thrust 
upon  an  unoffending  and  almost  helpless  minority. 

Having  travelled  and  resided  long  on  the  American  conti- 
nent, carefully  studying  national  characteristics,  he  was  not  sur- 
prised by  the  inevitable  disruption  of  the  Union,  nor  at  any 
time  unaware  of  the  causes  tending  to  that  result.  Rather,  his 
surprise  has  been  that  Southerners  should  so  long  have  re- 
frained from  rising  in  arms  against  the  accumulated  insults  and 
injuries  which,  for  a  long  series  of  years,  have  been  heaped 
upon  them.  They  would  have  been  unworthy  of  their  origin, 
and  must  have  shown  themselves  less  than  men,  had  they  longer 
submitted  to  the  degradation  of  being  deprived  of  free  speech 
and  action  amongst  a  people  whose  prosperity  had  been  fostered 
by  their  industry,  and  whose  history  they  had  ennobled  by 
heroic  deeds. 

Apart  from  all  untruthful  bias,  although  serving  in  a  cause 
he  enthusiastically  espoused,  the  author  has  followed  the  for- 
tunes of  Southern  armies  in  this  narrative  with  an  honest  in- 
tention to  present  facts,  uncolored,  and  exact  in  detail,  so 
far  as  space  would  allow  or  his  position  and  facilities  enabled 


Xii  INTRODUCTION. 

him  to  obtain  them.  Every  statement  he  has  made  can  be 
fully  substantiated ;  he  would  esteem  it  unmanly,  unsoldierly, 
and  degrading,  to  speak  untruly  of  these  events. 

The  real  source  of  Northern  prosperity  has  been  misunder- 
stood ;  so,  in  the  author's  opinion,  has  the  real  character  of  the 
Yankee  people.  The  nasal-toned,  tobacco-chewing,  and  long- 
limbed  gentleman  of  the  present  day  inhabiting  the  New-Eng- 
land States,  speaks  the  English  language,  it  is  true,  in  his  own 
peculiar  way,  but  Indian,  Canadian,  Irish,  Dutch,  French,  and 
other  bloods,  course  through  his  veins ;  and  from  his  extraor- 
dinary peculiarities  of  habit  and  character  displayed  in  this  pres- 
ent war,  it  is  extremely  difficult  to  imagine  which  caste  or 
shade  predominates  in  him.  He  is  i  a  volatile,  imaginative, 
superficial,  theatrically-inclined  individual,  possessing  uncom- 
mon self-confidence,  and  is  very  self-willed,  arrogant,  and 
boastful.  His  self-conceit  is  boundless :  any  one  who  disputes 
his  ideas  is  a  fool. 

The  peculiarities  of  Yankee  character  displayed  during  the 
present  war  are  very  amusing,  but  sometimes,  it  must  be  con- 
fessed, very  offensive.  When  General  Scott  was  in  chief  com- 
mand at  Washington,  and  promised  to  "disperse  the  rebels 
within  thirty  days,"  the  Northern  editors  were  lavish  and 
servile  in  praise  of  "the  great  chief!"  Columns  upon  columns 
of  editorial  flattery  daily  issued  from  their  journals.  A  thou- 
sand anecdotes  and  incidents  were  narrated  of  him  when  a  pre- 
cocious child,  and,  if  remembered  rightly,  it  was  said  his  first 
plaything  was  a  cannon.  McDowell,  his  talented  lieutenant, 
came  in  also  for  his  share  of  praise,  although  thousands  asked  : 
v  Who  is  McDowell  ?"  When  the  reports  of  the  Washington 
Administration  claimed  a  victory  at  Manassas,  the  whole  nation 
vociferously  chaunted  the  praises  of  Scott  and  McDowell ;  but 
when  the  truth  leaked  out  the  day  following,  not  a  newspaper 
in  the  whole  country  but  vilified  them  both,  calling  the  first  a 
stupid,  ignorant  old  blockhead,  and  the  latter  a  traitor. 

Butler  had  appeared  upon  the  scene  some  short  time  before. 
Being  from  Massachusetts,  (where  none  are  found,  of  course, 
except  men  of  extraordinary  talents,  genius,  veracity,  and 
bravery,)  he  was  going  forth  from  Fortress  Monroe  to  massacre 
or  "  bag "  the  entire  Confederate  force  at  Little  Bethel.  The 
press  was  in  ecstasies ;  a  swarm  of  reporters  repaired  to  head- 


INTRODUCTION.  xiii 

quarters,  and  Butler  could  not  sneeze  but  the  fact  was  tele- 
graphed North  as  something  very  ominous,  and  presaging  no 
good  to  the  rebels.  Magruder  and  Hill  whipped  him  com- 
pletely in  half  an  hour ;  and  the  press,  as  usual,  poured  out 
their  vials  of  wrath,  and  he  was  treated  to  all  the  derision  and 
vilification  of  an  angry  and  disappointed  populace. 

McClellan  next  appeared  in  the  arena,  and  the  whole  country- 
was  awe-struck  at  the  supposed  magnitude  of  his  genius.  None 
dared  approach  him  save  on  tip-toe ;  dead  silence  prevailed 
wherever  he  went ;  reporters  stretched  their  ears  to  catch  the 
least  word  he  uttered,  which,  after  being  highly  ornamented  and 
rendered  very  romantic,  was  blazoned  forth  to  the  North  as  the 
"  last "  good  thing  of  the  "  Young  Napoleon."  All  the  world 
was  supposed  to  be  standing  in  breathless  curiosity  to  know 
"what  was  coming  next;"  artists  of  various  illustrated  journals 
sharpened  their  pencils,  and  anxiously  yearned  to  sketch  the 
rapid  succession  of  victories  which  were  promised  to  be  forth- 
coming ;  but  time  jogged  along,  and  even  Northern  journalists 
began  to  grow  weary  of  McClellan's  inactivity.  They  had 
fully  exhausted  all  their  store  of  flattery  and  praise,  and  were 
now  utterly  fatigued  with  the  task  of  fruitless  and  never- 
ending  laudation. 

The  "  Young  Napoleon"  had  been  compared  to  Alexander, 
Caesar,  Hannibal,  and  Napoleon  the  Great ;  but  nothing  in  the 
history  or  character  of  those  famous  leaders  was  considered 
fully  adequate  to  the  heaven-born  qualities  of  George  B. 
McClellan.  His  eyes,  hair,  mouth,  teeth,  voice,  manner,  and 
apparel,  had  all  been  described  in  carefully  prepared  leaders ; 
and  even-  his  boots  had  something  pertaining  to  their  make  and 
style  indicative  of  the  surpassing  talents  of  the  wearer.*  His 

*  Thf  Washington  Chronicle,  June  twenty-second,  furnishes  us  a  case  in  point : 
"THE  INFANT  NAPOLEON. — An  incident  which  occurred  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  in 
the  winter  of  1826-7,  is  particularly  worthy  of  record  in  our  present  crisis,  inasmuch 
as  it  relates  to  the  early  history  of  one  who  fills  a  position  commanding  the  atten- 
tion and  admiration  of  the  world,  and  particularly  of  our  own  country.  I  will 
premise  by  saying  I  was  in  Philadelphia  in  the  winter  spoken  of,  attending 
medical  lectures  under  a  distinguished  surgeon,  then  a  professor  in  one  of  the 
institutions  of  the  city.  A  son  was  born  to  our  professor,  and  the  event  scarcely 
transpired  before  the  father  announced  it  to  his  delighted  pupils.  Scales  were 
instantly  brought  from  a  neighboring  grocer.  Into  one  dish  he  placed  the  babe, 
into  the  other  all  the  weights.  The  beam  was  raised,  but  the  child  moved  not ! 


servant  was  idolized,  and  nothing  could  be  too  good  for  him ; 
for  it  was  through  this  important  functionary  that  a  gaping  and 
delighted  public  were  favored  with  the  last  and  latest  anecdotes 
illustrative  of  the  great  man,  his  master.  Time  went  on,  and  the 
"  Young  Napoleon  "  suffered  a  series  of  defeats,  not  only  fatal, 
but  humiliating.*  Although  he  attempted  to  conceal  his  dis- 

The  father,  emptying  his  pockets,  threw  in  his  watch,  coin,  keys,  knives,  and 
lancets,  but  to  no  purpose  —  the  little  hero  could  not  be  moved  1  He  conquered 
every  thing  !  And  at  last,  while  adding  more  and  more  weight,  the  cord  supporting 
the  beam  gave  way,  and  broke,  rather  than  tfie  giant  infant  would  yield!  The  father 
was  Dr.  McClellan,  and  the  son  —  General  McClellan !  our  young  commander  on 
the  Potomac.  The  country  will  see  a  prophetic  charm  in  this  incident.  Truly, 
he  was  weighed  in  the  balance  and  not  found  wanting.  May  his  present  and 
future  life  stand  the  test  as  well !  Surrounded  as  he  is  by  traitors  at  home,  while 
•rampant  rebellion  is  before  him,  I  hear  him  amidst  the  jealousy  and  envy  of  cavil- 
lers quietly  praying  with  Job :  '  Let  me  be  weighed  in  an  even  balance,  that  God 
may  know  my  integrity  ! '  "  This  beautiful  incident  of  General  McClellan's  youth 
was  not  written  subsequent  to  the  Week's  Campaign  before  Richmond,  but  at  a  time 
when  he  was  the  great  idol  of  the  North,  and  had  much  patronage  within  his  gift. 

*  The  following  is  the  exceedingly  modest  address  of  McClellan  after  his  disas- 
trous defeat  in  the  Seven  Days'  Campaign  before  Eichmond,  penned  from  his  snug 
retreat  at  Harrison's  Landing,  within  a  hundred  yards  of  numerous  gunboats : 

"  Head-quarters,  Army  of  t7ie  Potomac, 
"  Harrison's  Landing,  July  4th. 

"  Soldiers  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac !  Your  achievements  of  the  last  ten  days 
have  illustrated  the  valor  and  endurance  of  the  American  soldier.  Attacked  by 
superior  forces,  and  without  hope  of  reenforcements,  you  have  succeeded  in  chang- 
ing your  base  by  a  .flank  movement,  always  regarded  as  the  most  hazardous  of 
military  expedients.  You  have  saved  all  your  material,  all  your  trains,  and  all  your 
guns,  except  a  few  lost  in  battle,  taking  in  return  guns  and  colors  from  the 
enemy  (?).  Upon  your  march  you  have  been  assailed  day  after  day  with  desr 
perate  fury  by  men  of  the  same  race  and  nation,  skilfully  massed  and  led.  Under 
tfvery  -disadvantage  of  number,  and  necessarily  of  position  also,  you  have  in  every 
conflict  beaten  back  your  foes  with  immense  slaughter  (!).  Your  conduct  ranks 
you  among  the  celebrated  armies  of  history.  No  one  will  now  question  that 
each  of  you  may  always  with  pride  say,  '  I  belong  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  ! ' 
You  have  reached  the  new  base,  complete  in  organization,  and  unimpaired  in 
spirit.  The  enemy  may  at  any  time  attack  you :  we  are  prepared  to  meet  them.  I 
have  personally  established  your  lines.  Let  them  come,  and  we  will  convert  their 
repulse  into  a  final  defeat.  Your  Government  is  strengthening  you  with  the  re- 
sources of  a  great  people.  On  this,  our  nation's  birthday,  we  declare  to  our  foes, 
who  are  rebels  against  the  best  intentions  of  mankind,  that  this  army  shall  enter 
the  capital  of  the  so-called  Confederacy,  that  our  national  Constitution  shall  pre- 
vail, and  that  the  Union,  which  can  alone  insure  internal  peace  and  external  pros- 
perity to  each  State,  '  must  and  shall  be  preserved,1  cost  what  it  may  in  time,  trea- 
sure, and  blood  !  GEO.  B.  MCCLELLAN." 


INTRODUCTION.  t  XV 

asters,  the  truth  became  known  at  last,  and  the  long  pent  up 
expectation  of  the  Northern  press  burst  forth  in  a  torrent  of 
abuse.  The  English  'language  .being  incapable  of  illustrating 
their  feelings,  new  epithets  were  invented  to  denote  their  accu- 

Gcneral  Lee  issued  Order  No.  75,  after  the  Seven  Days'  Campaign  before  Rich- 
mond, which  wonderfully  contrasts  with  the  above : 

"  Richmond,  July  $th. 

"  On  Thursday,  June  twenty-sixth,  the  powerful  and  thoroughly  equipped  army 
of  the  enemy  were  intrenched  in  the  works,  vast  in  extent  and  most  formidable 
in  character,  within  sight  of  our  capital.  To-day  the  remains  of  that  confident 
and  threatening  host  lie  on  the  banks  of  the  James  River,  thirty  miles  from 
Richmond,  seeking  to  recover,  under  the  protection  of  his  gunboats,  from  the 
effects  of  disastrous  defeats.  The  battle,  beginning  on  the  afternoon  of  June 
twenty-sixth,  above  Mechanicsville,  continued  until  the  night  of  July  first,  with 
only  such  intervals  as  were  necessary  to  pursue  and  overtake  the  flying  foe.  His 
strong  intrenchments  and  obstinate  resistance  were  overcome,  and  our  army  swept 
resistlessly  down  the  north  side  of  the  Chickahominy  until  it  reached  the  rear  of 
the  enemy,  and  broke  his  communication  with  York  River,  capturing  or  causing  the 
destruction  of  many  valuable  stores,  and,  by  the  decisive  battle  of  Friday,  forcing  the 
enemy  from  his  line  of  powerful  fortifications  on  the  south  side  of  the  Chickahominy, 
and  driving  him  to  a  precipitate  retreat.  Our  victorious  army  pursued  as  rapidly  as 
the  obstructions  placed  by  the  enemy  in  his  rear  would  permit,  three  times  over- 
taking his  flying  columns,  and  as  often  driving  him  with  slaughter  from  the  field, 
leaving  his  numerous  dead  and  wounded  in  our  hands  in  every  conflict.  The  im- 
mediate fruits  of  our  success  are  the  relief  of  Richmond  from  a  state  of  siege,  the 
rout  of  the  great  army  which  has  so  long  menaced  its  safety,  many  thousands  of 
prisoners,  including  officers  of  high  rank  ;  the  capture  or  destruction  of  stores  to 
the  value  of  millions,  and  the  acquisition  of  thousands  of  arms,  and  over  fifty 
pieces  of  superior  artillery.  The  service  rendered  to  the  country  in  this  short  but 
eventful  period  can  scarcely  be  estimated,  and  the  General  commanding  cannot  ade- 
quately express  his  admiration  of  the  courage,  endurance,  and  soldierly  conduct  of 
the  officers  and  men  engaged.  Those  brilliant  results  have  cost  us  many  brave  men, 
but  while  we  mourn  the  loss  of  our  gallant  dead,  let  us  not  forget  that  they  died 
in  defence  of  their  country's  freedom,  and  have  linked  their  memory  with  an  event 
that  will  live  forever  in  the  hearts  of  a  grateful  people.  Soldiers,  your  country 
will  thank  you  for  the  heroic  conduct  worthy  of  men  engaged  in  a  cause  so  just  and 
sacred,  and  deserving  a  nation's  gratitude  and  praise. 

"By  order  of  General  LEE, 
"R.  H.  CHILTOK,  Assistant  Adjutant- General." 

The  following  is  the  address  of  President  Davis  to  the  Army  after  the  battles  be- 
fore Richmond :  "  I  congratulate  you  on  the  series  of  brilliant  victories  which,  under 
divine  Providence,  you  have  lately  won,  and  as  President  of  the  Confederate  States 
do  heartily  tender  to  you  the  thanks  of  our  country,  whose  just  cause  you  have  so 
skilfully  and  heroically  served.  Ten  days  ago  an  invading  army,  vastly  superior  to 
you  in  numbers^and  in  the  material  of  war,  closely  beleaguered  your  capital,  and 
vauntingly  proclaimed  i£s  speedy  conquest.  You  marched  to  attack  the  enemy  in 
his  intrenchments.  With  well-directed  movements  and  death-dealing  valor  you 


XVI  INTRODUCTION. 

mulated  contempt  and  scorn  for  the   "Young  Napoleon."* 
Yankee  character  delights  in  extremes :  it  is  all  adulation  or  all 
•abuse. 

Fremont,  who  once  ran  for  President  of  the  United  States, 
had  also  experienced  the  changeful  feeling  of  the  Northern 
masses,  and  bore  their  strictures,  we  are  told,  with  but  little 
grace.  When  appointed  to  command  the  forces  in  Missouri,  the 
newspapers,  as  usual,  were  literally  crammed  with  sketches, 
anecdotes,  and  illustrations  of  the  "great  Pathfinder."  Noth- 
ing too  absurd  could  be  said  in  his  favor ;  all  the  river  cities  of 
Missouri  were  preparing  grand  receptions  for  him ;  Dutch  lager- 
bier  brewers  were  laying  in  large  stocks  to  meet  the  forthcom- 
ing demand :  for  on  Fremont's  arrival,  the  land  was  expected 
to  flow  with  milk  and  honey.  Fremont  was  called  "the  com- 
ing man,"  "  the  great  unknown,"  "  the  master  mind  ;"  in  truth, 
he  was  extolled  and  looked  upon  as  a  demigod.  St.  Louis  and 
the  "West  ran  riot  with  delight.  Dutch  cheese,  Dutch  beer, 
Dutch  bands,  Dutch  every  thing  was  the  order  of  the  day,  and 
delightful  guttural  Dutch  was  the  language  of  Fremont's  em- 
bryo court,  held  with  mock  state  in  Choteau  avenue.  The 
"  ragged  "  Confederates,  however,  put  a  sudden  stop  to  the  round 

charged  upon  him  in  his  strong  position,  drove  him  from  field  to  field  over  a  dis- 
tance of  thirty-five  miles,  and,  despite  his  reenforcements.  compelled  him  to  seek 
shelter  under  cover  of  his  gunboats,  where  he  now  lies  cowering  before  the  army 
so  lately  derided  and  threatened  with  entire  subjugation.  The  fortitude  with  which 
you  have  borne  toil  and  privation,  the  gallantry  with  which  you  have  entered  into 
each  successive  battle,  must  have  been  witnessed  to  be  fully  appreciated ;  but  a 
grateful  people  will  not  fail  to  recognize  you,  and  to  bear  you  in  loved  remembrance. 
"Well  may  it  be  said  of  you,  that  you  have  done  enough  for  glory ;  but  duty  to  a 
suffering  country,  and  to  the  cause  of  constitutional  liberty,  claims  from  you  yet 
further  effort.  Let  it  be  your  pride  to  relax  in  nothing  which  can  promote  your 
future  efficiency,  your  one  grand  object  being  to  drive  the  invader  from  your  soil, 
and,  carrying  your  standards  beyond  the  outer  boundaries  of  the  Confederacy,  to 
wring  from  an  unscrupulous  enemy  the  recognition  of  your  birthright  —  commu- 
nity and  independence !  (Signed)  JEFFERSON  DAVIS." 

*  I  have  frequently  heard  distinguished  Southern  leaders  speak  of  McClellan  in 
\  ;      the  highest  terms  of  compliment.     His  successful  retreat  through  the  Chickahominy 
M     swamp  is  considered  by  officers  to  be  equal  to  the  best  deeds  on  military  record. 

It  may  not  be  generally  known,  but  men  of  high  position  and  great  veracity  have 
said  in  Richmond,  that  McClellan  offered  his  services  to  the  South  when  the  war 
— began,  and  that  he  asked  to  command  a  division.  He  was  answered  that,  if  his 
heart  was  in  the  cause  let  him  join  the  ranks  like  Longstreet  and  others,  and  fight 
his  way  up  to  that  position.  There  are  documents  which  put  this  question  beyond 
dispute,  but  1  have  not  seen  them. 


INTRODUCTION.  XVli 

of  conviviality  and  expense  in  which  he  indulged.  Disaster 
attended  the  Federal  army  in  the  "West,  and  Fremont  sank  low 
in  the  opinion  of  even  his  former  admirers.  He  was  suddenly 
removed,  and  the  Northern  newspapers  turned  against  him. 

What  had  become  of  John  Pope,  late  Commander-in- Chief 
of  the  army  of  Virginia,  was  matter  of  speculation  among  all 
classes;  but,  from  the  fearful  clamor  raised  throughout  the 
North  regarding  his  late  series  of  brilliant  defeats,  it  was  con- 
sidered possible  that  he  had  been  sent  on  a  reconnoitring  expe- 
dition among  those  mountains  where,  as  his  despatches  stated, 
he  had  driven  poor  Stonewall  Jackson.*  Eumor  said  that  the 

i  *  Regarding  this  great  chieftain  (Pope,  not  Jackson,)  big  doings  and  his  antece- 
dents, it  may  not  be  improper  to  place  upon  record  the  following  historical  docu- 
ments. He  thus  addressed  the  army  of  Virginia  on  assuming  command : 

*-w  To  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  of  the  Army  of  Virginia  ! — By  special  assignment 
of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  I  have  assumed  command  of  this  army.  I 
have  spent  two  weeks  in  learning  your  whereabouts,  your  condition,  and  your 
wants,  in  preparing  you  for  active  operations,  and  in  placing  you  in  position  from 
which  you  can  act  promptly  and  to  the  purpose.  I  have  come  to  you  from  the 
West,  where  we  have  always  seen  the  backs  of  our  enemies  —  from  an  army  whose 
business  it  has  been  to  seek  the  adversary,  and  to  beat  him  when  found  —  whose 
policy  has  been  attack,  and  not  defence  !  In  but  one  instance  has  the  enemy  been 
able  to  place  our  Western  armies  in  a  defensive  attitude.  I  presume  that  I  have 
been  called  here  to  pursue  the  same  system,  and  to  lead  you  against  the  enemy.  . 
It  is  my  purpose  to  do  so,  and  that  speedily  !  I  am  sure  you  long  for  an  opportu- 
nity to  win  the  distinction  you  are  so  capable  of  achieving;  that  opportunity  I  shall 
endeavor  to  give  you,"  etc. 

A  Northern  authority,  speaking  of  the  depravity  of  Pope's  troops  in  Virginia, 
writes : 

"  The  new  usage  which  has  been  instituted  in  regard  to  protection  of  rebel  prop- 
erty, and  the  purpose  of  the  Government  to  subsist  the  army  as  far  as  practicable 
upon  the  enemy's  country,  has  produced  a  decided  revolution  hi  the  feelings  and 
practices  of  the  soldiery,  and  one  which  seems  to  me  to  be  regretted.  Unless 
these  innovations  are  guarded  by  far  more  stringent  safeguards  against  irregular 
and  unauthorized  plundering,  we  shall  have  let  loose  upon  the  country,  at  the  close 
of  the  war,  a  torrent  of  unbridled  and  unscrupulous  robbers.  Rapid  strides  to- 
wards villainy  have  been  made  during  the  last  few  weeks  ;  men  who  at  home  would 
have  shuddered  at  the  suggestion  of  touching  another's  property,  now  appropriate 
remorselessly  whatever  comes  within  their  reach.  Thieving,  they  imagine,  has  now 
become  an  authorized  practice;  and  under  the  show  of  subsisting  themselves, 
chickens,  turkeys,  hams,  and  corn,  have  become  lawful  plunder,  with  no  discrimi- 
nation as  to  the  character  or  circumstances  of  the  original  owner.  I  blush  when 
I  state  that  on  the  march  through  a  section  of  country,  every  spring-house  is 
broken  open,  and  butter,  milk,  eggs,  and  ham  are  engulfed  before  the  place  ifl 
reached  by  the  main  body ;  and  it  does  not  seem  to  matter  if  such  articles  are  the 


XVlii  INTRODUCTION. 

Washington  Cabinet  had  exiled  him  among  the  Indians  of  the 
North- West,  where  he  might  practise  the  art  of  war  without  sac- 

only  stock  and  store  of  the  poor  inhabitants.  Calves  and  sheep,  and,  in  fact,  any 
thing  and  every  thing  serviceable  for  meat  or  drink,  or  apparel,  are  not  safe  a  mo- 
ment after  the  approach  of  our  army;  even  things  apparently  useless  are  snatched 
up,  because,  it  would  seem,  many  men  love  to  steal." 

Regarding  his  attack  upon  Jackson's  corps,  and  his  repulse,  he  wrote : 

"  Manassas  Junction,  August  28th,  10  P.M. 

"As  soon  as  I  discovered  that  a  large  force  of  the  enemy  were  turning  our  right 
towards  Manassas,  and  that  the  division  I  had  ordered  to  take  post  there  two  days 
befoi^  had  not  yet  arrived  from  Alexandria,  I  immediately  broke  up  my  camps  at 
Warrenton  J'rfhction  and  Warrenton,  and  marched  rapidly  back  in  three  columns. 

"  I  directed  M'Dowell,  with  his  own  and  Sigel's  corps,  to  march  upon  Gainesviil| 
by  the  Warrenton  and  Alexandria  turnpike ;  Reno  and  one  division  of  Heintzelman 
to  march  on  Greenwich,  and  with  Porter's  corps  and  Hooker's  division,  I  marched 
back  to  Manassas  Junction. 

"  McDowell  was  ordered  to  interpose  between  the  forces  of  the  enemy,  which  had 
passed  down  to  Manassas  through  Gainesville,  and  his  main  body  moving  down  from 
White  Plains  through  Thoroughfare  Gap.  This  was  completely  accomplished, 
Longstreet,  who  had  passed  through  the  Gap,  being  driven  back  to  the  west  side  (/  /  /) 

"  The  forces  to  Greenwich  were  designed  to  support  McDowell  in  case  he  met  too 
large  a  force  of  the  enemy.  The  division  of  Hooker,  marching  towards  Manassas, 
came  upon  the  enemy  near  Kettle  Run,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  twenty-seventh, 
and  after  a  sharp  action,  routed  them  completely,  killing  and  wounding  three 
hundred,  capturing  camps,  baggage,  and  many  stand  of  arms  (!) 

"This  morning  (twenty-eighth)  the  command  pushed  rapidly  to  Manassas  Junc- 
tion, which  Jackson  had  evacuated  tl&ee  hours  before.  He  retreated  by  Centre- 
ville, and  took  the  turnpike  towards  Warrenton.  He  was  met  six  miles  west  of 
Centreville  by  McDowell  and  Sigel  late  this  afternoon.  A  severe  fight  took  place, 
which(  was  terminated  by  darkness.  The  enemy  was  driven  back  at  all  points,  and 
thus  the  affair  restk 

"  Heintzelman's  corps  will  move  on  him  at  daylight  from  Centreville,  and  I  do 
not  see  how  the  enemy  is  to  escape  without  heavy  loss.  We  have  captured  one 
thousand  prisoners,  many  arms,  and  one  piece  of  artillery. 

_  "  JOHN  POPE,  Major- General.'''' 

Pope's  reputation  for  truth  is  now  so  well  known  to  friend  and  foe,  j>nd  his  de- 
spatches are  so  unique  in  every  particular,  that  I  refrain  from  any  comments.  Al 
though  "  Longstreet,  who  had  passed  through  the  Gap,  had  been  driven  back"  Pope 
met  both  Jackson  and  Longstreet  on  the  following  day,  and  thus  speaks  of  the  re- 
sult of  the  fighting  on  the  twenty-ninth  in  the  following  "  sensational"  telegraphic 
despatch,  penned  on  the  morning  of  the  thirtieth,  which  was  read  with  uproarious 
delight  by  millions  at  the  North,  at  the  very  moment,  perhaps,  when  Lee  was 
giving  him  his  quietus : 

"  Head-quarters,  Groveton,  August  SOth. 

"  We  fought  a  terrific  battle  here  yesterday  -with  the  combined  forces  of  the  ene- 
my, which  lasted  with  continuous  fury  from  daylight  until  dark,  by  which  time  the 
enemy  were  driven  from  the  field  which  we  now  occupy.  Our  troops  are  too  much 


INTRODUCTION.  XIX 

/ 

-  rificing  from  five  to  ten  thousand  men  at  every  exhibition  of 
his  genius.     McDowell,  Porter,  and^many  old  officers,  who  had 

exhausted  to  push  matters ;  but  I  shall  do  so  in  the  course  of  the  morning,  as  soon 
as  Fitz-John  Porter's  corps  comes  up  from  Manassas.  The  enemy  is  still  in  front, 
but  badly  used.  We  have  not  less  than  eight  thousand  men  killed  and  wounded ; 
and  from  the  appearance  of  the  field,  the  enemy  has  lost  two  to  our  one.  He  stood 
strictly  on  the  defensive,  and  every  assault  was  made  by  ourselves.  Our  troops 
have  behaved  splendidly.  The  battle  was  fought  on  the  identical  battle-field  of 
Bull  Run,  which  greatly  increased  the  enthusiasm  of  our  men.  The  news  has  just  • 
reached  me  from  the  front,  that  the  enemy  is  retreating  towards  the  mountains.  I 
at. once  pushed  forward  a  reconnoitring  party  to  ascertain  this.  We  have  made 
great  captures,  but  I  am  not  yet  able  to  form  an  idea  of  their  extent. 

"  JOHN  POPK,  Major- General* 

General  Lee's  despatch  to  President  Davis  regarding  4he  Battle  of  Manassas 
throws  light  upon  Pope's  falsehoods : 

"Head-quarters,  Groveton,  Aug.  30th,  10  P.M. 

"  The  army  achieved  to-day,  on  the  plains  of  Manassas,  a  signal  victory  orer  the 
combined  forces  of  Generals  McClellan  and  Pope.  On  the  twenty-eighth  and 
twenty-ninth  each  wing,  under  Jackson  and  Longstreet,  repulsed  with  vigor  attacks 
made  upon  them  separately.  We  mourn  the  loss  of  our  gallant  dead  in  every  con- 
flict, yet  our  gratitude  to  Almighty  God  for  His  mercies  rises  higher  each  day.  To 
Him,  and  to  the  valor  of  our  troops,  a  nation's  gratitude  is  due. 

"(Signed)  ROBERT  E.  LEE.' 

Pope  had  attained  a  place  in  history  as  a  great  falsifier  long  before  assuming 
command  of  the  Army  of  Virginia,  as  documents  regarding  his  operations  in  the 
West  fully  demonstrate. 

Respecting  Beaurcgard's  retreat  from  Corinth,  General  Halleck  thus  telegraphed 
to  Washington,  on  the  strength  of  Pope's  reports : 

"  Head-quarters,  June  4th,  1862. 

"  General  Pope,  with  forty  thousand  men,  is  thirty  miles  south  of  Corinth,  push- 
ing the  enemy  hard.  He  already  reports  ten  thousand  prisoners  and  deserters  from 
the  enemy,  and  fifteen  thousand  stand  of  arms  captured. 

"  Thousands  of  the  enemy  are  throwing  away  their  arms.  A  farmer  says,  that 
when  Beauregard  learned  that  Colonel  Elliot  had  cut  the  railroad  on  his  line  of  re- 
treat he  became  frantic,  and  told  his  men  to  save  themselves  the  best  way  they 
could. 

"  We  have  captured  nine  locomotives  and  a  number  of  cars.  One  of  the  former 
is  already  repaired,  and  is  running  to-day.  Several  more  will  be  in  running  order 
in  two  or  three  days.  The  result  is  all  I  could  possibly  desire.  * 

"H.  W.  HALLECK,  Major-General  Commanding" 

General  Beauregard's  comments  on  the  above,  published  in  the  Mobile  Register, 
were  to  the  following  effect : 

"Head-quarters,  Western  Department,  June  1W». 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  My  attention  has  just  been  called  to  the  despatch  of  Major- 
General  Halleck,  commanding  the  enemy's  forces,  which,  coming  from  such  a  source, 


XX  INTRODUCTION'. 

been  accused  of  "  treason  "  by  this  great  and  veracious  Inca- 
pable, were  said  to  be  temporarily  deprived  of  their  commands, 

is  most  remarkable  in  one  respect — that  it  contains  as  many  misrepresentations  as 
lines. 

"  General  Pope  did  not  '  push  hard '  upon  me  with  forty  thousand  men  thirty 
miles  from  Corinth  on  the  fourth  inst.,  for  my  troops  occupied  a  defensive  line  in 
the  rear  of  '  Twenty  Mile  Creek,'  less  than  twenty-five  miles  from  Corinth,  until  the 
eighth  inst.,  when  the  want  of  good  water  induced  me  to  retire  at  my  leisure  to  a 
better  position.  Moreover,  if  General  Pope  had  attempted,  at  any  time  during  the 
retreat  from  Corinth,  to  push  hard  upon  me,  I  would  have  given  him  such  a  lesson 
as  would  have  checked  his  ardor ;  but  he  was  careful  to  advance  on  after  my  troops 
had  retired  from  each  successive  position. 

"The  retreat  was  conducted  with  great  order  and  precision,  doing  much  credit 
to  the  officers  and  men  under  my  orders,  and  must  be  looked  upon,  in  every  re- 
spect, by  the  country  as  equivalent  to  a  brilliant  victory. 

"  General  Pope  must  certainly  have  dreamed  of  taking  ten  thousand  prisoners 
and  fifteen  thousand  stand  of  arms ;  for  we  positively  never  lost  them.  About  one 
or  two  hundred  stragglers  would  probably  cover  all  the  prisoners  he  took,  and 
about  five  hundred  damaged  muskets  is  all  the  arms  he  got.  These  belonged  to  a 
convalescent  camp,  four  miles  south  of  Corinth,  evacuated  during  the  night,  and 
were  overlooked  on  account  of  the  darkness.  The  actual  number  of  prisoners 
taken  during  the  retreat  was  about  equal  on  both  sides,  and  they  were  but  few. 

"  Major-General  Halleck  must  be  a  very  credulous  man,  indeed,  to  believe  the 
absurd  story  of  '  that  farmer.'  He  ought  to  know  that  the  burning  of  two  or  more 
cars  on  a  railroad  is  not  sufficient  to  make  '  Beauregard  frantic  '  and  ridiculous, 
especially  when  I  expected  every  moment  to  hear  of  the  capture  of  the  marauding 
party,  whose  departure  from  Fannington  had  been  communicated  to  me  the  day 
before,  and  I  had  given,  in  consequence,  all  necessary  orders ;  but  a  part  of  my 
forces  passed  Boonville  an  hour  before  the  arrival  of  Colonel  Elliot's  command,  and 
the  other  part  arrived  just  in  time  to  drive  it  away  and  liberate  the  convalescents 
captured ;  unfortunately,  however,  not  in  time  to  save  four  of  the  sick,  who  were 
barbarously  consumed  in  the  station-house.  Let  Colonel  Elliot's  name  descend  to 
infamy  as  the  author  of  such  a  revolting  deed.  General  Halleck  did  not  capture 
nine  locomotives.  It  was  only  by  the  accidental  destruction  of  a  bridge,  before 
some  trains  had  passed,  that  he  got  seven  engines  in  a  damaged  condition,  the  cars 
having  been  burned  by  my  orders. 

"  It  is,  in  fact,  easy  to  see  how  little  the  enemy  respect  truth  and  justice  when 
speaking  of  their  military  operations,  especially  when,  through  inability  or  over- 
confidence,  they  meet  with  deserved  failure. 

"  If  the  result  be  all  he  desired,  it  can  be  said  that  Major-General  Halleck  is  easily 
satisfied  ;  it  remains  to  be  seen  whether  his  Government  and  people  will  be  of  the 
like  opinion. 

"  I  attest  that  all  we  lost  at  Corinth  and  during  the  retreat  would  not  amount  to 
one  day's  expense  of  his  army.  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD." 


To  complete  these  documents,  an  able  Northern  writer  thus  speaks  of  Corinth 
and  its  evacuation : 


INTKODUCTTON.      .  XXI 

and  enjoying  whiskey-and- water  among  the  anti- Administration 
party  of  New  York. 

While  the  Yankee  is  extremely  bitter  towards  unsuccessful 

i 

"  The  fortifications  about  Corinth  are  plain,  ordinary  intrenchments.,  constructed 
of  earth  and  logs,  not  elaborate  or  expensive,  hardly  first-rate,  about  six  miles  in 
length.  They  are  not  superior  to  any  of  ours  thrown  up  in  a  couple  of  days,  and 
not  equal  in  strength  and  science  to  those  of  our  right  wing.  To  speak  the  truth, 
they  are  precisely  such  as  a  great  army,  advancing,  retreating,  or  remaining  in  the 
face  of  an  equal  foe,  would  throw  up  in  a  night.  I  was  immensely  disappointed  in 
them.  I  have  really  got  up  in  the  morning,  eaten  my  three  meals,  and  gone  to  bed 
again,  for  the  last  month,'  in  unutterable  awe  of  these  Gibralto-Sebastopolian  forti- 
fications of  the  enemy  at  Corinth.  I  walked  round  about  them  to-day,  marking 
well  their  bulwarks,  telling  the  towers  thereof  till  my  sides  were  sore  with  merri- 
ment and  my  lips  sore  with  chagrin.  With  the  single  exception  of  the  abattis  of 
fallen  trees,  five  hundred  yards  wide  in  front  of  them,  there  is  nothing  under  heav- 
en about  the  fortifications  at  Corinth — their  situation,  style,  or  strength  —  more 
than  the  most  ordinary  and  temporary  fortifications  possess. 

"I  went  all  overthe  late  tented  field  of  the  enemy— all  over  the  fortifications — 
all  over  the  town— talked  with  the  frank  druggist  and  the  sturdy  Irishman  that  had 
worked  upon  the  railroad.  And  so  do  I  write  what  I  saw  in  grief,  mortification, 
chagrin,  and  shame.  I  said  yesterday:  ' I'll  write  no  more ;  others  may;  I  can't. 
Patriotism  will  not  let  me  write  what  I  have  seen  and  can  swear  to.'  When  I 
write  such  words  as  I  am  sometimes  compelled  to,  if  I  write  at  all,  I  am  afraid  lest, 
In  exposing  military  imbecility,  I  shall  wound  and  damage  our  beautiful  common- 
wealth that  struggles  so  tremendously  for  existence  and  perpetuity. 

"  But  I  do  religiously  believe  that  it  is  best  now  for  the  commonwealth  to  hear 
and  heed  what  is  bitter,  undisputed  fact — the  Confederate  strategy  since  the  Battle 
of  Shiloh  has  been  as  successful  as  it  has  been  superior.  Taking  the  enemy's  stand- 
point, and  writing  when  and  where  I  do,  I  cannot  possibly  imagine  how  it  could 
have  been  more  eminent  for  perfection  and  success.  Taking  our  stand-point,  the 
stand-point  of  the  Union's  hopes  and  Halleck's  fame,  I  cannot  possibly  imagine 
how  it  could  have  been  more  mortifyingly  disastrous.  If  the  attack  at  Shiloh  was 
a  surprise  to  General  Grant,  the  evacuation  of  Corinth  was  no  less  a  surprise  to 
General  Halleck.  If  the  one  ruined  Grant,  the  other  has  laid  out  in  pallid  death 
the  military  name  and  fame  of  Major-General  Halleck. 

"  The  druggist  says  he  was  two  weeks  getting  away.  But  aside  from  such  testi- 
mony, could  the  army  of  Beaurcgard  be  removed  so  cleanly,  and  completely,  and 
noiselessly,  during  a  night,  or  day  atfd  night,  or  two  days  and  two  nights  ?  Did  it 
require  the  tremendous  concussion  of  the  magazine  explosion  to  get  into  our  ears 
what  we  would  not  get  into  our  eyes — the  evacuation  ?  Why,  that  was  the  final 
act  of  the  mortifying  drama.  On  Friday  morning  we  went  in.  The  prisoners  that 
we  captured  amounted  to  about  four  hundred.  Four  hundred !  Even  the  beggar- 
ly picket  regiments  and  light  artillery  that  fought  us  so  boldly,  got  away.  Those 
that  we  caught  declare  that  they  were  kept  in  ignorance  of  the  movements  at  Cor- 
inth, and  were  as  much  surprised  at  the  evacuation  as.  ourselves.  Corinth  has  been 
searched  in  vain  for  a  spiked  or  disabled  gun.  Shame  on  us,  what  a  clean  piece  of 
evacuation  it  was ! 


INTRODUCTION. 

men,  and  ungenerously  visits  upon  them  all  manner  of  con- 
tumely and  disgrace,  he  is  equally  unjust  to  those  in  subordi- 
nate commands  who  betray  tokens  of  ability  and  success ;  par- 
ticularly if  they  are  so  unfortunate  as  to  entertain  political 
opinions  contrary  to  those  of  the  Administration.  It  matters 
not  what  ability  an  officer  may  possess ;  if  he  is  not  politically 
identified  with  his  masters,  promotion  is  denied,  and  the  press 
so  effectually  gagged  that  no  word  of  commendation  may  es- 
cape it.  'Sigel,*  Sturges,  Grant,  Buell,  Eosecrans,  and  others, 

"  Never  shall  I  forget  the  pertinacity  with  which  that  long  lean  line  of  Confeder- 
ate pickets,  backed,  perchance,  by  some  five  thousand  muskets  and  a  few  six- 
pounders,  disputed  every  inch  of  our  advance,  while  the  vast,  imposing  host  be- 
hind them — leaders,  stores,  cannon,  commissaries,  knapsacks,  shoe  strings,  tooth- 
picks, and  all — quietly  and  leisurely  flowed  away  from  its  intrenchmcnts.  I  haven't 
seen  the  telegram  that  the  Censor  sent  you.  Surely  it  concluded  with  the  stereo- 
typed encouragement :  'Our  cavalry  in  hot  pursuit  of  the  flying  enemy.'  At  this 
writing  there  are  no  results  from  the  '  pursuit.'  I  prophesied  a  fight  at  Corinth, 
and  believed  there  would  be  down  to  the  moment  that  I  heard  the  magazines 
explode.  Beauregard  fooled  me.  I  am  not  much  ashamed  at  that.  I  am  no 
strategist.  I  am  no  scout  or  spy,  and  employ  none.  It  is  my  business  to  record 
the  doings  of  the  National  rather  than  the  Confederate  army.  General  Beauregard 
fooled,  hoodwinked,  outwitted  General  Hallcck.  I  am  ashamed  of  that.  I  winced 
under  it  as  much  as  if  General  Beauregard  had  spit  in  General  Halleck's  face — oh ! 
more,  of  course!  I  am  speaking  the  unvarnished,  the  unpalatable  truth.  My  eyes 
are  writing  what  they  saw,  my  ears  what  they  have  heard,  my  conscience  what  it 
believes.  And  to  say  the  galling  fact,  there  is  nothing  here  but  chagrin  and  shame, 
disappointment  and  disapprobation  over  these  empty  intrenchments,  this  bootless, 
bloodless  occupation  of  Corinth.  Better  for  General  Halleck  that  he.  had  remained 
in  St.  Louis,  or  had  never  been  born,  than  to  have  taken  the  field." 

*  Major-General  Franz  Sigel  has  proved  himself  an  excellent  soldier ;  and  if  he 
had  been  untrammelled  by  those  in  power,  or  given  a  distinct  command  pway  from 
Fremont  and  other  incapablcs,  he  would  have  made  a  great  name  for  himself  long 
ere  this.  He  was  born  in  Baden  in  1824,  and  graduated  with  much  honor  in  the 
military  college  of  Carlsruhe;  and,  in  1847,  was  considered  one  of  the  ablest  artil- 
lerists in  Europe.  When  the  revolution  broke  out  in  Germany,  he  threw  up  his 
command  and  joined  the  insurgents.  At  one  time  he  was  in  command  of  the  in 
surgent  army,  and  successfully  retreated  with  thirty  thousand,  despite  all  the  traps 
and  snares  laid  for  him  by  an  army  of  eighty  thousand.  Ilis  generalship  drew 
forth  praise  from  some  of  the  best  soldiers  in  Europe.  When  the  rebellion  was 
crushed,  Sigel  emigrated  to  America,  and  settled  in  St.  Louis,  marrying  the  daugh- 
ter of  a  gentleman  in  whose  academy  he  taught.  When  the  present  war  broke 
out,  he  received  command  of  the  Second  Missouri  Volunteers,  and  was  soon  ap- 
pointed Brigadier.  He  served  with  distinction  under  Lyon,  Fremont,  and  Curtis. 
He  was  removed  from  Missouri,  and  appointed  to  command  the  Twelfth  Army 
Corps  under  Pope,  in  Virginia,  and  has  greatly  distinguished  himself.  Although 


INTRODUCTION'.  Xxiii 

who  "have  displayed  traits  of  genius  under  adverse  circumstanc- 
es, have  never  been  called  to  chief  command,  simply  because 
they  were  foreigners,  or  opposed  to  the  dominant  party  in  poli- 
tics. Men  of  ability,  without  politicians  to  assist  them,  can 
never  expect  to  rise ;  and  if  it  were  known  to-morrow  that  a 
foreigner  was  in  the  ranks  capable  of  guiding  the  destinies  of 
the  nation,  he  might  remain  ther,e  in  obscurity,  anc[  the  contin- 
ent be  reduced  to  anarchy,  ere  Northern  pride  would  succumb 
to  be  led  by  any  one  who  was  not  born  on  the  soil. 

The  Yankee  proper  hates  all  foreigners,  when  any  thing  is  to 
be  gained  or  given  away.  It  is  conceded,  indeed,  that  Euro- 
peans are  serviceable  as  food  for  powder,  and  great  pains  are 
taken  to  keep  up  a  plentiful  supply  of  this  food  by  numerous 
agents,  who  are  busily  engaged  for  this  purpose  in  Europe. 
But,  although  they  cannot  deny  that  the  foreign  element  has 
been  the  stepping  stone  to  all  their  past  prosperity,  and  that  it 
has  proved  itself  superior  to  native  blood  upon  every  battle- 
field, they  will  unblushingly  protest  on  all  occasions  that  "we 
Americans"  are  the  great  rulers  and  master-minds,  capable  of 
achieving  any  thing  and  every  thing  of  which  a  mortal  man 
might  dream.  Poor  unfortunate  foreigners  may  sweat  and  toil, 
and  fight  or  bleed  for  them ;  but,  were  the  war  to  cease  to-mor- 
row, hundreds  would  be  shot  down  in  the  public  streets,  as 
happened  in  Louisville  and  Baltimore :  and  for  no  other  reason, 
perhaps,  save  that  they  dare  to  think  for  themselves  in  the  use 
of  the  suffrage. 

In  the  appointment  and  dismissal  of  their  generals,  the  con- 
stant practice  of  the  North  has  made  them  ridiculous  alike  to 
Southerners  and  to  all  Europe.  A  man  is  called  to  command 
because  a  political  faction  admires  or  thinks  him  capable : 
though,  probably,  he  has  no  notion  of  the  duties  of  an  officer. 
Every  new  appointment  serves  to  create  a  "sensation,"  and,  for 
a  time,  it  appeases  the  clamor  of  the  press.  The  newly-fledged 
commander,  however  modest  he  may  naturally  be,  finds  himself 
instantly  transformed  into  a  genius,  and  the  eyes  of  the  nation 
are  fixed  upon  him  in  ecstatic  hope.  Something  in  his  eye  be- 
much  sneered  At  by  Jhose  in  the  Federal  Army,  and  subjected  on  all  occasions  to 
many  slights  and  annoyances,  Sigel  is  a  much  better  General  than  many  who  have 
been  his  superiors  in  command,  and  could  do  more  with  a  division  than  half-a- 
dozen  such  men  as  General  Pope. 


XXIV  INTRODUCTION. 

trays  vast  penetration,  if  not  positive  knowledge,  of  the  future ; 
his  walk  may  be  slow — he  is  a  studious,  long-headed  man,  and 
all  will  be  well ;  his  step  may  be  quick  and  elastic — a  sure  sign 
of  brilliancy  and  activity.  If  his  speech  is  loud,  he  was  born 
to  command ;  if  soft,  he  is  dealing  in  mysteries.  It  matters 
not,  indeed,  what  he  is,  or  might  have  been,  or  what  he  has  or 
has  not  done — he  is  a  new  man,  and  an  untried  one.  He  has 
many  things  in  his  gift,  and  is  quickly  flattered  out  of  them  by 
crowds  of  sycophants,  who  care  not  a  jot  who  rules,  amid  the 
rack  and  ruin  of  the  times,  so  that,  they  themselves  have  secured 
something  from  the  national  plunder. 

If  the  genius  of  the  hour  proves  unsuccessful,  he  is  immedi- 
ately kicked  from  high  places,  and  sinks  into  deeper  obscurity 
than  he  had  known  before.  No  inquiries  are  instituted  to  as- 
certain how  much  he  might  have  been  to  blame,  and  whether 
the  disgrace  has  been  caused  by  himself  or  his  more  culpable 
subordinates ;  it  is  sufficient  that  he  has  been  unsuccessful. 
The  Yankee  demands  success :  it  is  the  master  passion  of  his 
life ;  if  he  cannot  obtain  a  whole  victory,  he  is  willing  to  pur- 
chase half  a  one  at  any  cost.  Northern  victories  have  been 
frequent  on  paper ;  but  these,  he  is  fully  aware,  are  not  suffi- 
cient to  gratify  European  tastes,  however  much  they  may  de- 
light and  comfort  excitable  and  inflated  Northerners. 

The  pride  and  self-love  of  the  North  are  so  extravagant, 
that  the  bare  idea  of  defeat  in  any  undertaking  is  hurtful  and 
humiliating.  They  think  themselves  born  to  unprecedented 
renown ;  and  it  is  a  foregone  conclusion,  that  no  nation  ever 
did,  or  ever  can,  approach  them  in  those  talents  with  which 
they  suppose  themselves  to  be  transcendently  endowed.  In 
machinery  of  all  classes,  in  ship  and  boat-building,  in  railways, 
telegraphs,  cities,  in  energy  and  success,  other  nations  of  the 
world  are  supposed  to  be  infinitely  their  inferiors.  A'nd,  as  to 
fighting  on  land  or  water  I  they  firmly  believe  that  one  Yankee 
is  worth  any  six  •"  Britishers."  In  truth,  the  Yankee  proper 
has  hitherto  thought,  or  been  taught  to  believe,  that  the  na- 
tions of  Europe  are  seized  with  fear  and  trepbling  whenever 
an  American  stump-orator  rises  to  .speak. 

Not  long  before  the  present  war  began,  Yankee  programmes 
of  future  operations  in  the  Eastern  and  Western  hemispheres 


INTRODUCTION.  XXV 

were  freely  circulated  and  discussed;  and  the  preposterous 
magnitude  of  them  would  have  excited  smiles  of  compassion  in 
any  but  the  inflated  petty  politicians  of  New-England.  The 
whole  country,  from  the  Atlantic  Ocean  to  the  Pacific,  was 
theirs ;  England  was  to  be  deprived  of  the  Canadas,  and  Ameri- 
can emissaries  were  already  there  laying  plans  for  any  expected 
or  presupposed  uprising  of  the  people.  England,  of  course, 
could  do  nothing  in  the  matter.  It  was  known  that  she  was 
much  averse  to  any  American  quarrel — in  fact,  feared  it :  and 
should  she  dare  to  lift  a  hand  in  defence  of  her  possessions,  a 
fortnight  would  be  all-sufficient  to  "clean  out"  the  whole 
British  empire,  east  and  west.  Ireland  was  to  be  made  a  re- 
public, with  Thomas  Francis  Meagher  as  president.  England 
was  also  to  be  revolutionized,  and  Brown,  Williams,  or  Jones, 
placed  in  the  presidential  chair.  France  was  next  on  the  list ; 
Louis  Napoleon  was  to  be  deposed,  and  the  country  partitioned. 
If  Ledru  Eollin  or  Louis  Blanc  were  unwilling  to  take  charge 
of  affairs,  the  empire  should  be  offered  as  a  gift  to  their  par- 
ticular friend,  the  Emperor  of  Eussia,  as  a  token  of  commise- 
ration for  the  injustice  done  him  by  the  "Western  Powers.  All. 
the  petty  German  kings  and  princes  were  to  be  sent  to  the 
right  about ;  the  Sultan  was  to  be  thrown  into  the  Bosphorus, 
and  his  lands  settled  by  Russian  peasants  or  free  negroes. 
Mexico  was  to  be  appropriated,  and  all  Central  America  with 
it ;  Cuba,  of  course,  was  to  be  annexed ;  and  many  predicted 
that  few  months  would  elapse  ere  the  Stars  and  Stripes  should 
float  over  the  walls  of  Moro  Castle !  The  West-India,  Bahama, 
and  all  other  islands  were  to  be  appendages  to  the  American 
Republic ;  and  if  no  other  use  could  be  made  of  them,  they 
were  to  be  converted  into  coaling  stations  for  the  omnipotent 
Yankee  navy,  rather  than  that  the  detested  banner  of  Old  Eng- 
land should  wave  over  any  portion  of  territory  in  the  Atlantic 
Ocean.  From  the  Equator  to  the  North  Pole,  and  from  the 
Canaries  to  the  Sandwich  Islands,  no  spot,  of  earth  was  to  be 
under  any  rule  save  the  sway  of  the  omnipotent  Yankee ;  who, 
complacently  picking  his  teeth  on  top  of  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
might  at,  one  view  take  in  half  the  world,  and  call  it  his  own. 
This  is  scarcely  an  exaggeration  of  the  wild  .dream  of  uni- 
versal empire  which  haunted  the  brain  of  the  excitable  and 
self-sufficient  Yankee.  But  the  intoxicating  idea  was  rudely 


INTRODUCTION". 

disturbed;  though  not  by  any  aggressive  power  desirous  of 
forestalling  Northern  ambition  by  a  similar  career  of  conquest 
and  domination.*  When  hostilities  began,  the  Southerners 
were  comparatively  helpless  for  all  purposes  of  war;  their 
resources  were  inconsiderable,  and  but  little  of  the  material  of 
war  was  at  their  command,  save  brave  hearts  and  willing  hands. 
Yet  one  short  year  had  not  elapsed  ere  this  heroic  people  stood 
before  the  world  resolute  to  defend  their  independence,  armed 

with  the  spoils  of  victories  in  many  a  hard-fought  battle-field. 

•* 

*  Even  in  this  struggle,  and  toward  the  Border  States,  Southern  leaders  have 
shown  no  desire  to  act  aggressively.  The  following  was  General  Lee's  address  to 
the  people  of  Maryland  oil  entering  their  territory  : 

"  Headquarters,  Army  of  Northern  Virginia, 

"  Near  Frederick,  Monday,  Sept.  8th,  1862. 
"To  THE  PEOPLE  OF  MARYLAND. 

"  It  is  right  that  you  should  know  the  purpose  that  has  brought  the  army  under 
my  command  within  the  limits  of  your  State,  so  far  as  that  purpose  concerns  your- 
selves. The  people  of  the  Confederate  States  have  Jong  watched  with  the  deepest 
sympathy  the  wrongs  and  outrages  that  have  been  inflicted  upon  the  citizens  of  a 
commonwealth  allied  to  the  States  of  the  South  by  the  strongest  social,  political, 
and  commercial  ties,  and  reduced  to  the  condition  of  a  conquered  province.  Under 
the  pretence  of  supporting  the  Constitution,  but  in  violation  of  its  most  valuable 
provisions,  your  citizens  have  been  arrested  and  imprisoned,  upon  no  charge,  and 
contrary  to  all  the  forms  of  law.  A  faithful  and  manly  protest  against  this  outrage, 
made  by  an  illustrious  Marylander,  to  whom,  in  better  days,  no  citizen  appealed 
for  right  in  vain,  was  treated  with  contempt  and  scorn.  The  Government  of  your 
chief  city  has  been  usurped  by  armed  strangers ;  your  Legislature  has  been  dis- 
solved by  the  unlawful  arrest  of  its  members ;  freedom  of  speech  and  of  the  press 
has  been  suppressed ;  words  have  been  declared  offences  by  an  arbitrary  decree  of 
the  Federal  Executive,  and  citizens  oidered  to  be  tried  by  military  commissions  for 
what  they  may  dare  to  speak, 

"  Believing  that  the  people  of  Maryland  possess  a  spirit  too  lofty  to  submit  to 
such  a  Government,  the  people  of  the  South  have  long  wished  to  aid  you  in  throw- 
ing off  this  foreign  yoke,  to  enable  you  again  to  enjoy  the  inalienable  rights  of 
freemen,  and  restore  the  independence  and  sovereignty  of  your  State.  In  obedi- 
ence to  this  wish,  our  army  has  come  among  you,  and  is  prepared  to  assist  you  with 
the  power  of  its  arms  in  regaining  the  rights  of  which  you  have  been  so  unjustly 
despoiled.  This,  citizens  of  Maryland,  is  our  mission,  so  far  as  you  are  concerned. 
No  restraint  upon  your  face  will  is  intended ;  no  intimidation  will  be  allowed  within 
the  limits  of  this  army,  at  least.  Marylanders  shall  once  more  enjoy  their  ancient 
freedom  of  thought  and  speech.  We  know  no  enemies  among  you,  and  will  pro- 
tect all  of  you,  in  every  opinion.  It  is  for  you  to  decide  your  destiny,  freely  and 
without  constraint.  This  army  will  respect  your  choice,  whatever  it  may  be ;.  and 
while,  the  Southern  people  will  rejo;ce  to  welcome  you  to  your  natural  position 
among  them,  they  will  only  welcome  you  when  you  come  of  your  own  free  will. 

"R.  E.  LEE,    General  Commanding.'11 


INTRODUCTION.  XXV11 

"The  valor  and  triumphs  of  the  South  by  land  and  sea,  under 
the  most  adverse  circumstances,  are  recorded  in  these  volumes. 
No  people,  no  nation  has  struggled  more  manfully  for  freedom ; 
and  could  England  truly  know  the  privations,  sufferings,  and 
patriotic  self-sacrifice  of  the  women  and  children  in  that  far 
distant  land,  compassion  would  assume  some  material  form  to 
relieve  the  necessities  of  these  descendants  of  her  ancient  and 
noble  emigrants. 

Yet  the  South  is  just  as  far  from  subjugation  as  when  the 
strife  began,  despite  the  almost  superhuman  exertions  of  her 
enemies ;  and  there  is  little  doubt,  but  that  she  will  ere  long 
claim  recognition  from  the  European  Powers  as  an  independent 
nation. 


BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 


CHAPTER  I. 

First  Acts  of  Secession  —  Measures  of  the  Southern  Leaders — Major  Anderson  aud 
Fort  Sumter  —  Southern  Preparations  for  War — Drilling  of  Volunteers — Pre- 
paring to  march  —  Patriotic  Spirit  of  the  South — Journey  by  Rail — Camp  at 
Corinth — Regimental  Officers — A  Tragical  Episode. 

As  an  English  resident  in  the  then  United  States  of  America,  I 
watched  intently  the  progress  of  public  affairs  after  the  election 
of  Abraham  Lincoln  to  the  Presidency,  and  the  probable  dis- 
ruption of  the  time-honored  Federation  filled  me  with  serious 
concern.  The  stirring  political  events  that  followed  thick  and' 
fast  were  deeply  impressed  upon  my  mind  as  they  occurred, 
and  the  most  minute  details  of  circumstances  bearing  upon  the 
calamities  that  succeeded  them,  are  ineffaceable  from  my  mem- 
ory. 

When  the  Southern  leaders  were  called  home  by  tlje  States 
they  severally  represented  in  the  TJnitei  States  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives,  and  those  States  had  seceded  from 
the  Union,  acts  of  confederation  were  immediately  agreed  upon ; 
Montgomery  (Alabama)  being  judiciously  chosen  as  the  tempo- 
rary seat  of  Government.  Several  States  had  not  as  yet  (April 
first)  sundered  from  the  North ;  yet  no  one  doubted  that  they 
would  all  secede  either  unanimously,  or  by  vast  majorities,  as 
they  subsequently  did. 

The  Southern  leaders  had  for  months  past  begged  the  parent 
Government  to  allow  the  seceding  States  to  retire  peaceably  and 
without  bloodshed ;  and  commissioners  had  been  sent  to  nego- 
tiate for  the  transfer  of  Government  property  hitherto  mutually 
possessed.  But  the  Government,  instead  of  officially  communi- 
1 


2  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

eating  with  the  envoys,  put  them  off  with  specious  promises  from 
day  to  day,  until  it  became  obvious  that  the  North  was  ma- 
nceuvring  for  time,  in  order  to  strengthen  the  coasts  and  harborsf 
and  seize  the  most  eligible  strategical  positions  and  thus  by  mere 
physical  force  resist,  and  if  possible  prevent  secession.  To  have 
quietly  allowed  President  Lincoln  to  reinforce  the  Southern  gar- 
risons and  forts,  would  have  been  equivalent  to  submission ;  and 
aware,  despite  all  asseverations  to  the  contrary,  that  he  then  had 
on  the  way  heavy  reinforcements  for  Charleston  harbor,  Fort 
Sumter  was  instantly  reduced,  its  colors  hauled  down,  and  the 
Confederate  flag  raised  over  its  ruins.* 
This  decisive  act  was  bitterly  anathematized  in  the  North, 

*  Major  Robert  Anderson,  First  Artillery,  was  commandant  here.  He  is  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  and  nearly  sixty  years  of  age.  He  entered  the  service  as  brevet  sec- 
ond lieutenant  Second  Artillery,  July  first,  1825.  On  the  evening  of  the  day  that 
South-Carolina  formally  seceded  from  the  Union,  (December  twentieth,  I860,)  a  grand 
banquet  was  given  in  Charleston,  at  which  Major  Anderson  assisted,  and,  apparent- 
ly, very  much  enjoyed  himself;  so  that  a  party  of  gentlemen  accompanied  him  to  the 
wharf,  where  a  boat  was  .in  readiness  to  convey  him  to  his  head-quarters  at  Fort 
Moultrie ;  Fort  Sumter,  the  strongest  of  all  the  forts,  placed  in  the  middle  of  the 
bay,  not  being  tenanted.  But  the  Major's  inebriety  was  all  assumed,  for  at  midnight 
he  spiked  the  guns,  and  conveyed  all  his  men  and  stores  to  Fort  Sumter ;  so  that 
next  morning,  when  it  was  thought  the  Confederate  troops  might  take  possession, 
the  Union  flag  betrayed  the  fact  that  Anderson  was  already  there.  Our  leaders 
were  greatly  incensed  at  the  Major,  but  President  Buchanan  would  not  disapprove 
the  act,  and  we  had  to  bombard  the  fort. 

Before  hostilities  commenced,  however,  the  citizens  of  Charleston  treated  the  Ma- 
jor and  his  little  garrison  with  much  considerate  politeness,  allowing  them  to  procure 
fresh  provisions  from  the  city  daily ;  and  it  was  not  until  all  negotiations  had  failed, 
and  a  large  fleet  had  been  sent  by  President  Lincoln  to  the  assistance  of  the  fort, 
that  it  was  bombarded  and  reduced  by  General  Beauregard,  after  an  expenditure  of 
two  thousand  shot,  during  parts  of  two  days.  The  Federal  fleet  outside  the  bar  were 
witness  to  the  whole  transaction,  but  did  not  attempt  to  force  a  passage,  even  when 
a  conflagration  in  the  fort,  the  number  of  his  dismounted  guns,  and  the  shattered  walla 
induced  the  Major  to  surrender,  April  thirteenth,  1861.  Anderson  was  allowed  to 
march  out  with  the  honors  of  war,  and  to  salute  his  flag.  During  this  latter  ceremony, 
one  of  his  guns  burst,  killing  four  of  his  men — the  first  blood  shed  during  the  whole  af- 
fair. When  Major  Anderson  arrived  among  his  friends  in  the  North,  he  was  greatly 
lionized,  and  cried  up  as  a  "  martyr  "  by  fanatics ;  and,  on  the  plea  of  sickness,  he  used 
his  leave  to  travel  round  the  country,  feasting  and  speech-making.  He  was  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  Brigadier-General,  and  appointed  to  command  the  forces  then  gath- 
ering in  Kentucky  for  the  Western  campaign ;  but  he  unexpectedly  resigned,  aver- 
ring that  the  fatigues  and  hardships  endured  at  Fort  Sumter  had  ruined  his  con- 
stitution. In  truth,  he  was  not  willing  to  jeopardize  his  easily  acquired  reputation, 
by  commanding  men  in  whom  he  had  little  confidence,  and  in  a  cause  he  thorough- 
ly despised. 


PROSPECTS  OF  SUCCESS.  3 

both  from  pulpit  and  press ;  but  the  clamor  partook  less  of  man- 
ly indignation  than  of  hypocritical  expostulation,  and  ill-con- 
cealed annoyance  at  the  failure  of  the  Government  scheme. 

Now  arose  the  question — What  were  the  prospects  of  success 
for  the  new  Confederate  Government  ?  Their  munitions  of  war 
were  some  hundred  thousand  stand  of  arms  found  in  the  State 
arsenals,  and  ammunition  for  twice  as  many.  But  for  what  pur- 
pose were  these  arms  likely  to  be  required  ?  Not  for  vengeance, 
seeing  that  not  one  drop  of  blood  had  been  spilt ;  and  except 
the  battered  walls  of  Fort  Sumter,  no  material  damage  had 
been  effected.  The  danger  clearly  perceived  was  the  intention 
of  the  North  to  force  the  Confederate  States  back  into  the  Union, 
and  to  meet  this  a  call  was  made  for  seventy -five  thousand  men. 
and  heartily  responded  to. 

The  chief  difficulty  proved  to  be  the  proper  equipment  and 
command  of  the  volunteers.  The  arms  in  the  State  arsenals 
were  nothing  more  than  common  percussion  muskets,  and  the 
cartridges  proved  almost  useless,  being  filled  with  very  old, 
common,  large-grained  blasting  powder.  Our  ports  were  block- 
aded ;  the  North  had  free  communication  with  Europe ;  exche- 
quer we  had  none ;  our  opponents  could  raise  millions  at  home 
•or  abroad;  our  leaders  were  few,  of  inferior  rank  and  little  re- 
putation ;  our  foes  had  one  at  their  head  fondly  called  by  them- 
selves "the  greatest  general  of  his  age."  Save  Lee,  Johnston, 
Beauregard,  and  Cooper,  we  had  not  one  single  officer  of  note ; 
"  SncT f he  Erst-named  was  only  a  colonel  of  dragoons  in  the  old 
United  States  service.  It  is  true  that  several  officers  (among 
them  Van  Dorn,  Longstreet,  Ewell,  and  Evans)  in  the  Indian 
countries,  or  on  the  Border,  immediately  threw  up  their  com- 
mands, and  joined  the  fortunes  of  their  respective  States ;  but 
little  was  expected  of  them,  since  they  could  only  be  regarded 
as  men  of  theory,  with  but  little  experience  in  warfare.  Com- 
mon expectation,  however,  was  most  agreeably  disappointed  in 
these  officers. 

While  General  Scott  and  a  host  6f  officers  were  drilling  and 
marshalling  their  men  at  Washington,  the  State  of  Virginia 
seceded.  •  Her  arsenals  and  naval  works  were,  as  a  consequence, 
blown  up  or  fired  by  the  enemy,  and  evacuated  ;  the  only  spoil 
that  fell  to  our  lot,  at  Norfolk  and  other  places,  being  charred 
and  broken  hulls,  empty  dockyards,  spiked  cannon,  and  dam- 


I 


4  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

aged  ammunition.  The  seizure  of  Harper's  Ferry  secured  to 
Virginia  several  thousand  stand  of  arms ;  but  beyond  these, 
little  fell  to  the  Confederates;  the  Federal  officers,  before  de- 
parture, haying  carefully  planned  and  executed  the  destruction 
of  all  Government  property,  at  the  various  factories  and  depots. 

When  it  became  evident,  from  the  vast  preparations  of  the 
enemy,  that  hostilities  would  very  shortly  commence,  the  Con- 
federate capital  was  changed  from  Montgomery,  (Ala.,)  to  Eich- 
mond,  (Ya.)  The  railroad  junctions  had  to  be  protected,  as 
within  no  great  distance  from  our  seat  of  Government  were 
several  lines  of  road  leading  to  and  through  the  heart  of  the 
Southern  States  to  the  very  Gulf.  Manassas  station  (on  the 
Washington  and  Alexandria  Eailroad)  was  selected  as  com- 
manding all  approach  from  Washington  in  front,  or  on  the 
flank,  from  Harper's  Ferry,  through  the  Shenandoah  Valley. 
This  accordingly  became  the  grand  rendezvous,  and  the  troops 
that  first  arrived  were  camped  there:  some  few  were  sent 
twenty-five  miles  to  the  front  (Fairfax  Court-house  and  station) 
to  watch  the  enemy,  while  General  Johnston  proceeded  down 
the  Shenandoah  Valley  with  all  he  could  gather,  to  watch  and 
oppose  General  Patterson,  who  was  massing  his  troops  on  the 
Maryland  bank  of  the  Potomac,  and  threatening  Harper's  Ferry. 
General  Pegram  was  in  Western  Virginia,  watching  the  Fede- 
rals in  that  direction,  who,  under  General  McClellan,  were  threat- 
ening to  advance  circuitously  and  take  us  in  the  rear.  Such,  in 
brief,  might  be  said  to  be  the  state  of  things  in  the  middle  of 
April,  1861.  I  now  proceed  to  a  simple  narration  of  facts,  of 
which,  for  the  most  part,  I  was  an  eye-witness,  throughout  most 
of  the  engagements  of  the  war. 

And  in  the  first  place  Idt  me  observe,  that  prior  to  the  procla- 
mation of  April,  1861,  in  which  President  Lincoln  warned  us 
to  "  disperse  to  our  homes  in  thirty  days,"  there  were  many  who 
fondly  expected  that  common-sense  would  rule  in  the  councils 
of  the  North,  and  that  the  Government  would  not  force  a  war 
upon  their  "  brethren  "  of  the  South.  We  were  all  mistaken ; 
and  when  the  proclamation  was  read  on  the  bulletin  boards  of 
the  telegraph  offices  in  every  town,  crowds  perused  the  docu- 
ment with  roars  of  laughter,  and  derisive  cheers  for  the  great 
"rail-splitter"  Abraham  1  Companies  were  formed  upon  the 


PREPARING  TO  MARCH.  5 

spot  from  among  the  wealthiest  of  the  youth,  and  thousands  of 
dollars  were  spent  on  their  organization,  drill,  and  equipment; 
^indeed,  had  President  Davis  so  desired,  he  could  have  had 
two  hundred  thousand  volunteers  within  a  month,  for  any  term 
of  service. 

At  the  first  whisper  of  war  among  these  excited  crowds,  a  hun- 
dred youths  repaired  to  a  lawyer's  office,  drew  up  a  muster-roll, 
inscribed  their  names  for  twelve  months'  service,  and  began 
drilling  in  a  concert-hall.  Subscriptions  for  arms  and  accoutre- 
ments began  to  pour  in,  and  an  emissary  was  despatched  North- 
ward post-haste  to  get  these  requisites.  Many  among  us  having 
studied  at  military  or  semi-military  colleges,  the  details  of  in- 
fantry drill  were  perfectly  understood,  so  that  squads  were 
quickly  placed  under  our  care  ;  and  in  every  vacant  building- 
lot  of  the  village  might  be  seen  some  half-dozen  or  inore 
going  through  the  movements,  at  the  command  of1  striplings. 
Muskets,  formerly  used  for  holiday  parades,  were  immediately 
appropriated;  and  before  a  week  had  elapsed,  two  full  compa- 
nies were  drilling  thrice  a  day,  and  marched  through  the  streets 
every  evening  to  the  sound  of  fife  and  drum.  Banners  of  costly 
material  were  made  by  clubs  of  patriotic  young  ladies,  and  de- 
livered to  the  companies  with  appropriate  speeches ;  the  men  on 
such  occasions  swearing  that  they  would  perish  rather  than 
desert  the  flag  thus  consecrated. 

After  a  few  days,  one  of  these  companies,  originally  intended 
for  Pensacola,  received  marching  orders,  and  in  a  brilliant  uni- 
form of  rifle  green,  with  red  facings  and  gold  lace,  bade  adieu 
to  the  little  town  of  Yazoo,  amid  great  rejoicing;  and  taking 
steamboat  to  Mobile,  started  on  their  twelve  months'  service, 
with  light  hearts  and  great  shouting.  Although  the  members 
of  our  company  were  individually  r^ch,  and  the  greater  number 
of  them  well  educated,  we  had  much  quarrelling  regarding 
uniform  and  general  outfit.  Some  desired  costly  attire,  and  the 
most  expensive  rifles  ;  but,  upon  consulting  the  State  Executive 
upon  the  first  point,  we  learned  it  was  the  desire  of  President 
Davis  tbat  all  volunteers  should  be  attired  in  grey  flannels  and 
light  blue  cotton  pantaloons — such  articles  being  inexpensive 
and  more  adapted  for  service.  A  note  from  the  President  to 
his  old  friend,  our  captain,  concluded  with  these  words  :  "  The 
young  gentlemen  of  your  company  must  be  thoroughly  im-  , 


6  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE  SOUTH. 

pressed  with  the  idea  that  their  services  will  prove  to  be  in 
hardships  and  dangers  —  the  commonest  material,  therefore, 
will  be  the  most  durable ;  and  as  for  arms,  we  must  be  content 
with  what  we  have :  the  enemy  will  come  superabundantly  pro- 
vided with  all  things  that  money  and  ingenuity  can  devise  ;  we 
must  learn  to  supply  ourselves  from  them." 

Our  officers  were  elected  by  acclamation  from  among  the 
more  aged  and  influential,-  who  insisted  on  taking  up  arms  for 
the  country's  defence.  Several  of  these  gentlemen  already  bore 
the  title  of  colonel,  major,  or  captain ;  but  these  were  holiday 
or  honorary  titles,  in  which  nearly  every  old  planter  and  mer- 
chant rejoiced :  even  the  gentleman  who  made  my  boots  flour- 
ished in  the  style  of  "  Colonel  Smith."  No  great  harm  resulted 
from  this  sort  of  ostentation  in  the  previous  circumstances  of 
the  fountry,  but  had  we  selected  younger  and  less  influentia. 
persons  for  such  important  positions  at  the  present  crisis,  it 
would  have  been  much  better  for  all. 

To  prevent  us  from  prowling  about  the  town,  and  to  instil 
discipline,  it  was  decided  to  encamp  in  fields  proffered  for  that 
purpose.  With  an  ample  supply  of  tents  and  all  things  need- 
ful, we  commenced  camping,  and  the  novelty  was  delightful. 
From  sunrise  until  sunset  it  was  incessant  drill.  At  evening 
came  parade ;  and  when  all  assembled  on  the  greensward,  and 
scores  of  fair  creatures  visited  the  grounds,  and  strolled  about 
with  brothers,  sons,  or  sweethearts,  we  all  thought  it  a  fine  thing 
to  be  a  soldier,  to  strut  about,  or  dance  quadrilles  to  the  music 
of  a  town  band,  made  up  of  four  German  cabinet-makers.  After 
two  weeks'  incessant  drill,  guard-mounting,  parades,  etc.,  we 
yearned  for  "active"  service,  and  many  began  to  murmur  at 
the  monotony  of  daily  routine.  All  wished  to  go  fortli  and 
fight  the  Yankees  —  not  that  the  Northerners  were  deemed 
worthy  of  that  honor,  but  there  was  a  strong  desire  to  get  to 
"  close  quarters  "  with  the  enemy,  and  settle  the  question  with- 
out further  delay.  There  was  not  a  youth  but  fancied  himself 
a  match  for  any  half-dozen  New-En  glanders ;  and  from  morning 
until  night  the  surrounding  woods  resounded  with  the  reports 
of  fire-arms. 

Our  men,  however,  did' not  really  need  such  practice,  for 
every  youth  was  accustomed  to  the  woods  and  to  hunting; 
each  had  killed  his  dozens  of  panthers,  deer,  or  rattlesnakes ; 


ENTHUSIASM  FOR  THE   WAR.  7 

.and  with  his  own  rifle  could  "  bring  down"  any  thing  within  a 
distance  of  four  hundred  yards.  In  fact,  nine  tenths  of  our 
company  seemed  born  to  arms,  and  were  never  so  happy  as 
when  shooting.  The  country  in  which  we  lived  had  in  early 
times  been  an  unbroken  swamp.  Even  after  twenty  years'  set- 
tlement, we  numbered  but  fourteen  hundred  voters  in  the 
county,  (forty  miles  wide,)  and  at  this  moment  the  dense  woods 
skirting  the  town,  interspersed  with  a  few  cotton  plantations, 
abound  with  reptiles  of  every  description ;  and  panthers,  bears, 
deer,  alligators,  wolves,  and  wild  cats  frequent  the  byways. 
Still,  though  accustomed  to  fire-arms  in  the  chase,  we  had  never 
used  muskets,  and  some  practice  was  deemed  necessary.  A 
target  five  feet  high  and  fifteen  inches  broad  was  erected,  and 
opposite  this,  at  a  distance  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards,  we 
took  our  stand. 

"  Now,"  said  our  captain,  jocosely,  "  fancy  the  board  is  Old 
Abe,  and,  at  the  command  '  ready,'  let  all  cover  it  well."  The 
allusion  was  received  with  a  grin  ;  and  at  the  word  "  fire,"  a 
volley  was  admirably  delivered,  and  ninety-five  holes  counted 
in  the  target  out  of  a  hundred  who  had  shot.  "  Save  your 
powder,  boys,"  said  the  captain,  with  a  smile :  "  you'll  do." 
This  would  be  marvellous  if  it  were  not  accounted  for  by  the 
fondness  of  the  Southern  youth  for  hunting  and  wood-ranging. 
As  a  proof  of  this,  it  is  not  uncommon  for  a  party  of  youngsters 
to  leave  home  without  a  word  of  warning,  and  with  blanket 
and  gun  take  to  the  woods  for  weeks  at  a  time,  depending 
solely  on  their  rifle  and  knife  for  sport  and  food. 

The  Governor  of  the  State  having  been  requested  to  enrol  us . 
immediately  in.  some  regiment,  made  answer  that  he  had  but 
three  regiments  to  fill,  and  had  one  hundred  and  fifty  companies 
to  pick  from  !  In  fact,  he  was  perfectly  bored  with  offers  from 
every  part  of  the  State ;  and  political  reasons  had,  of  course, 
some  influence  upon  his  selection.  Under  these  circumstances 
the  welcome  telegram  arrived,  "  Strike  tents,  and  march  for 
Corinth — the  regiments  will  form  there  within  two  weeks." 
Great  was  our  rejoicing  to  break  up  camps  and  start  for  the 
wars.  Captains  of  other  companies  begged  us  to  give '  up  our 
call,  and  offered  munificent  compensation  if  we  would  let  their 
companies  report  instead.  Such  offers  were  spurned  with  con- 
tempt. "  Give  up  the  chance  of  going  to  fight  the  Yankees?" 
No,  indeed !  We  were  "  favored  "  individuals ;  and  not  all  the 


8  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

wealth  of  California  could  have  bought  us  off  in  favor  of  others  J 
Poor  fellows :  how  soon  the  tune  changed !  glad  would  some 
of  these  hot  heads  have  been  to  return  home,  months  subse- 
quently. 

For  several  days  before  leaving,  parties  and  balls  were  of 
frequent  occurrence  in  camp  and  town,  at  the  residences  of 
members :  all  vied  with  each  other  in  passing  the  time  agree- 
ably ;  and  in  our  daily  intercourse  there  was  little  or  no  dis- 
tinction apparent  between  officers  and  privates.  In  fact,  in 
worldly  matters,  many  of  the  privates  were  far  superior  to  thgir 
officers.  The  ambition  of  all  was  "to  carry  a  musket  in  the 
holy  war"  of  independence  ;  and  although  our  company  of  one 
hundred  men  represented  property  in  the  aggregate  worth  not 
less  than  twenty  million  dollars,  I  never  saw  any  signs  of  in- 
subordination, drunkenness,  or  foul  language  amongst  them. 
Having  negro  servants  to  do  the  cooking  and  camp  offices,  we  had 
passed  our  term  of  encampment  very  agreeably.  Now  that  the 
moment  approached  for  departure,  the  busy  note  of  preparation 
was  heard  in  all  directions.  With  knapsacks  well  filled  with 
every  thing  needful  by  the  hands  of  female  friends,  we  formed 
rank  in  marching  order,  revolvers  and  bowie-knives  by  our 
sides,  and,  with  muskets  shouldered,  listened  to  the  remarks  of 
our  captain,  who,  encircled  by  hundreds  of  our  friends  and 
relatives,  spoke  in  a  fatherly  manner  to  us  of  the  duties  we 
should  have  to  perform.  If  any  were  afraid  to  meet  the  enemy, 
now  was  the  time  to  say  so,  and  retire ;  for  none  were  desired 
of  timid  temperament,  or  who  feared  to  fight  for  their  country. 
"  Fight"  was  the  word,  he  said :  let  none  imagine  that  child's 
play  or  a  holiday  excursion  is  before  them  ;  for  it  was  not  so. 
In  a  few  weeks  many  of  us  would  be  numbered  with  the  dead ; 
and  if  any  were  afraid  of  death  in  their  country's  cause,  let  them 
retire ;  if  any  were  of  Northern  birth  or  feelings,  let  them  retire ; 
or  if  any  were  physically  incapable  of  enduring  a  soldier's  duty 
or  fatigues,  from  infirmity,  disease,  or  malformation,  let  them 
retire  also — and  they  should  incur  no  blame.  Yet  no  one 
stirred — not  a  sound  could  be  heard  in  the  whole  assembly 
save  occasional  sobs  from  the  fair  spectators ;  and,  at  the  con- 
clusion of  the  address,  one  loud  yell*  rent  the  air. 

*  The  English  *'  hurrah"  is  not  heard  in  the  Southern  armies,  but  a  yell  not  un- 
like that  of  the  Indians  when  rushing  to  the  charge. 


PROCEEDING  BY  RAIL.  9 

Then  the  band  struck  up  "  Dixie's  Land,"  and  our  colors 
waved  in  the  wind,  and  amid  cheers  and  tears  from,  young  and 
old,  male  and*  female,  we  gaily  marched  through  town, 
towards  the  steamboat  Hope ;  and,  amid  the  cheers  of  the  mul- 
titude, and  waving  of  handkerchiefs,  started  for  the  rendezvous 
at  Corinth.  Though  many  tears  were  shed,  and  mothers  clasped 
children  to  their  bosoms  for  the  last  time ;  though  fathers 
grasped  the  hands  of  sons,  or  bashful  sweethearts  and  sisters 
wept  copiously  on  our  departure,  not  one  word  was  whispered 
of  probable  "  failure :"  no  sign  of  diffidence  was  betrayed  by 
young  or  old,  but  the  universal  sentiment  was  :  "  Go,  my  son, 
never  be  shot  in  the  back :  be  always  in  the  front  rank  :  fight 
as  a  Southerner,  and,  if  need  be,  die  like  a  patriot.  Never  ask 
'  quarter'  from  Northern  hirelings.  Be  merciful  in  the  hour  of 
victory,  and  courageous  under  defeat :  behave  as  men — as  true 
sons  of  the  South.  If  ever  you  act  otherwise,  never  turn  your 
face  homewards  again."  Such  was  the  language  even  of  the 
fair  ones  we  left  behind ;  and  that  this  was  the  idea  of  all 
seemed  apparent,  for  at  every  place  that  the  vessel  passed  in 
steaming  down  the  river,  crowds  collected  to  greet  us ;  and 
ladies  literally  burdened  us  with  presents,  trifles,  fruit,  and  pro- 
visions :  none  were  more  enthusiastic  for  the  .cause  than  these 
same  gentle  ones.  At  every  landing  we  chanced  to  stop, 
whether  it  were  night  or  day,  military  companies  were  under 
arms  to  salute  us,  the  "favored"  ones,  who  had  thus  preceded 
them  to  the  seat  of  war. 

By  railroad  it  was  the  same.  The  telegraph  signalled  our 
approach,  and  the  newspapers  having  flatteringly  noticed  us  as 
"  one  of  the  crack  companies  of  the  State,"  the  stations  were 
crowded  with  all  sorts  of  people ;  tables  with  breakfasts,  din- 
ners, or  suppers,  were  spread  for  our  accommodation,  and  that 
of  other  companies  on  their  way  to  Corinth  ;  while  young  and 
old,  whites  and  blacks,  all  seemed  to  vie  in  rendering  our  jour, 
ney  an  unbroken  ovation.  Male  and  female  schools  would  line 
the  track  and  rend  the  air  with  shouts,  or  toss  bouquets  upon 
us  by  hundreds ;  planters  would  have  wagon-loads  of  choice 
provisions  for  our  accommodation.  We  picked  up,  at  different 
stations,  company  after  company  likewise  bound  to  Corinth, 
and  our  train  gradually  lengthened  to  fifty  cars..  Another 
and  another  train  being  filled,  we  at  length  formed  three 


10  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF   THE   SOUTH. 

long  trains  with  six  engines,  puffing  along  at  the  rate  of  twenty 
miles  an  hour.  Such  noises  as  the  men  made  are  indescribable. 
Some  of  us  were  in  passenger  cars,  but  the  greater  number  had 
to.  put  up  with  baggage  cars  having  temporary  seats ;  and  for 
want  of  sufficient  ventilation,  muskets  were  freely  used  in 
knocking  out  the  panels  to  admit  air.  Some  passed  days  and 
nights,  riotously,  on  the  roof,  and  beguiled  the  time  with  play- 
ing cards,  or,  having  violins  and  banjos,  with  singing  and 
dancing,  scarce  heeding  the  many  bridges  that  jeopardized  their 
heads,  or  the  uneasy  and  dangerous  rolling  of  overloaded  and 
ill-constructed  cars. 

Tired  with  this  trip  of  one  thousand  miles — having  travelled 
this  distance  without  leaving  our  own  State — we  were  glad  to 
find  ourselves  at  Corinth.  This  town  owes  its  existence  to  the 
intersection  of  two  great  lines  of  railroad,  and  except  its  two 
thousand  inhabitants,  or  thereabouts,  and  a  few  wooden  stores, 
contains  nothing  worthy  of  observation :  its  chief  edifice  is  the 
Tishomingo  Hotel.  The  lines  of  railway  that  intersect  here  are 
those  of  the  Mississippi  Central,  and  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Kail- 
roads  :  the  first  was  an  unbroken  line  from  New-Orleans,  and 
crossing  the  Mobile  road  at  this  place,  ran  to  Grand  Junction, 
whence  one  branch  went  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  the  other  to 
Huntsville,  Chattanooga,  and  thence  into  Virginia ;  the  second 
rafi  direct  from  Mobile,  passed  the  junction  at  this  place,  and 
ran  on  to  Columbus,  Kentucky.  In  a  military  point  of  view, 
the  occupation  of  this  point  was  of  vital  importance,  as  will 
appear  at  once  to  any  intelligent  reader  who  glances  at  the  map. 

North  of  the  town  we  found  the  fields  and  woods  pictur- 
esquely dotted  with  tents  ;  we  could  see  various  regiments  under 
drill  in  -the  distance,  and  faintly  heard  the  word  of  command 
of  field  officers.  On  leaving  the  train,  we  took  up  the  line  of 
march  for  our  camping  grounds ;  and  ere  sunset  had  pitched 
tents,  and  our  numerous  mess-fires  were  surrounded  with  busy 
and  talkative  groups.  On  the  low  grounds  in  the  distance  we 
saw  hundreds  of  camp-fires  reddening  the  scene ;  and  as  the 
moon  rose  over  the  woods,  bayonets  glancing  in  the  moonlight 
revealed  sentinels  keeping  the  regimental  "bounds;"  the  hoarse 
challenge  of  guards  fell  upon  the  ear ;  "  patrols"  and  "  relief 
guards"  went  their  rounds  ;  and  as  the  clear  notes  of  bugles  or 
drums  fell  upon  our  unaccustomed  ears  at  "tattoo,"  we  all 


ELECTION  OF  FIELD   OFFICERS.  11 

began  to  feel  that  our  liberty  was  suddenly  circumscribed,  and 
that  we  must  make  up  our  minds  to  be  obedient,  and  observant 
of  military  discipline.  One  day  was  allowed  for  rest,  and  then 
commenced  incessant  daily  drill  in  the  manual  exercise  and  com- 
pany field  movements. 

As  we  formed  but  eight  companies,  several  companies  un- 
attached, proffered  themselves  to  our  officers,  to  fill  up  the  regi- 
mental quota.  But  the  eight  captains  considered  their  respective 
commands  very  "  select,"  as  being  composed  of  the  elite  of  their 
localities,  and  so,  much  negotiation  ensued.  At  last  an  ex- Gov- 
ernor of  the  State  (an  ex-U.  S.  Senator  also)  came  forward  with 
his  "select"  company,  and,  being  well  known,  was  instantly 
allotted  the  place  of  company  I.  Next  day  came  another  ex- 
U.  S.  Senator  with  his  company — all  representatives  of  "  the  first 
families,"  of  course — and  was  unanimously  assigned  the  place 
of  company  K.  The  companies  being  at  last  assembled,  and  all 
being  proficient  in  company  drill,  there  was  great  rivalry  among 
us  to  see  who  should  be  considered  "  the"  company  of  the  regi 
ment ;  but  as  field  officers  had  not  yet  been  elected,  we  were 
drilled  as  a  regiment  on  successive  days  by  different  captains : 
and  a  pretty  farce  some  of  them  made  of  it !  We  were  put 
through  all  kinds  of  movements,  and  several  of -these  extempor- 
ized colonels  put  us  into  figures  that  defied  all  extrication,  and 
then,  in  despair,  left  the  ground  for  the  companies  to  "  unbun- 
gle"  themselves  as  best  they  could.  Several,  bolder  than  the 
rest,  rashly  promised  to  "  form  square"  for  us  on  the  first  con- 
venient opportunity  ;  but  after  energetic  endeavors,  they  ended 
by  throwing  all  the  companies  into  inextricable  confusion,  and 
left  us  all  in  high  dudgeon  at  their  bungling  pretensions.  At 
last  a  non-commissioned  officer  (a  school-fellow  of  mine)  got  the 
boys  together  one  evening,  after  dress-parade,  and  forming  us 
into  sections,  formed  square  immediately :  several  captains 
taking  note  thereof,  understood  the  manoeuvre  at  once,  and 
plumed  themselves  thereafter  on  their  skill  and  experience. 
Generally  speaking,  our  officers,  with  all  their  pretensions,  were 
quite  ignorant  of  tactics;  yet,  in  truth,  little  should  have  been 
expected  from  them  ;  for  they,  like  ourselves,  were  fresh  from 
civil  life,  and  knew  infinitely  more  of  law  and  of  plantations 
than  of  life  on  the  tented  field. 

After  much  canvassing,  we  elected  field  officers  from  the 


12  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

regiment,  and  despite  all  electioneering  and  f  arty  spirit,  selec- 
tions were. made  from  among  the  most  deserving:  our  boys 
•wisely  preferring  "  talent  and  experience"  to  all  other  consider- 
ations of  wealth  and  social  position.  There  was  much  heart- 
burning, of  course,  among  the  non-elected,  and  several  immense- 
ly wealthy  gentlemen,  who  had  travelled  hundreds  of  miles  to 
offer  their  services  as  "colonels,"  "lieutenant-colonels,"  and 
"majors,"  received  not  a  single  vote  to  gratify  their  vanity. 
To  such  the  companies  gave  a  blank  refusal.  "  If  you  wish  to 
serve  with  us,  as  you  say,  and  to  fight  for  the  common  cause, 
why  not  be  sworn  into  the  ranks,  and  prove  your  disinterested- 
ness? "We  intend  to  vote  for  none  who  are  not  enrolled  to 
serve  with  us ;  and  in  our  choice  of  superiors,  we  desire  no 
other  qualifications  than  'ability  and  sobriety.'  As  to  the 
champagne  suppers  eaten  at  your  expense,  gentlemen,  they  were 
no  more  than  courtesies  offered  to  each  other,  and  returned. 
We  are  used  to  all  that  kind  of  thing  at  home.  We  should  be 
happy  to  receive  you  into  our  ranks,  and  should  you  join,  your 
'  talents,'  no  doubt,  will  soon  remove  every  obstacle  to  quick 
promotion  in  the  future."  Such  were  the  sentiments  of  our 
regiment,  and  generally  of  all  others. 

Although  there  were  not  less  than  six  or  seven  regiments 
hard  at  drill  when  we  arrived  at  Corinth,  good  order  and  sobrie- 
ty seemed  to  prevail,  and  thus  it  continued  for  several  weeks 
that  we  remained  there.  As  might  be  expected,  however, 
among  thousands  of  hot-blooded  Southern  youths,  rencontres 
would  occasionally  occur  ;  and  as  in  the  South  pugilistic  science 
is  little  resorted  to,  or  understood,  knives  and  pistols  were  used 
in  emergencies,  and  several  were  killed,  including  two  or  three 
commissioned  officers.  Courts-martial  were  held,  but  investiga- 
tions proving  that  these  homicides  were  simply  the  results  of 
legitimate  quarrels,  and  not  premeditated  "  killing,"  the  offend- 
ers received  only  a  reprimand. 

One  instance  I  may  mention,  to  show  the  spirit  of  those  about 
to  fight  for  the  freedom  of  their  country.  A  commissioned 
(company)  officer  having  donned  his  grey  uniform  and  gilded 
shoulder-straps,  began  to  strut  about  camp  and  assume  "  airs," 
eager  to  show  his  "  little  brief  authority"  on  all  occasions.  This 
unfortunate  fellow  disgusted  those  who  had  elected  him,  and 
although  the  men  were  desirous  of  learning  their  duty  thorough- 


TRAGICAL  INCIDENT.  13 

ly  and  expeditiously,  he  seized  upon  every  opportunity  to 
"blackguard"  his  former  associates.  He  was  frequently  told 
how  obnoxious  his  assuming  manner  was  ;  but  not  heeding  the 
admonition,  several  threatened  to  take  him  out  and  "whale" 
him.  Laughing  at  these  suppressed  remarks,  he  dared  to  lift 
his  sword  to  slap  one  of  the  men  when  on  parade :  he  was  told 
what  the  immediate  consequence  would  be,  but  foolishly  raised 
the  weapon  again,  and  slapped  one  across  the  shoulders  ;  when, 
in  an  instant,  the  rifle  was  dropped,  a  bowie-knife  flashed,  and 
the  oflicer  lay  dead  on  the  turf,  stabbed  five  or  six  times  in  as 
many  seconds.  The  company  did  not  stir,  but  looked  on,  and 
applauded;  the  culprit  quietly  wiped  his  knife,  resumed  his 
place  in  the  ranks,  and  dress-parade  proceeded  as  if  nothing 
had  happened  !  Courts-martial  could  not — or,  at  all  events,  did 
not — attempt  to  exercise  any  jurisdiction  in  this,  or  similar 
cases:  they  were  reckoned  affairs  of  self-defence,  or  "  honor." 


CHAPTER  II. 

Despatch  of  Troops — State  of  Southern  Arsenals  and  Stores — Practices  of  the 
jews — Troops  ordered  to  Virginia — Rejoi«ings  in  the  Camp — Hospitalities  on 
the  Road — Patriotism  of  the  Women — Northern  Sympathies  in  East-Tennessee — 
Camp  at  Lynchburgh — By  Rail  to  Manassas  Station. 

'APRIL  having  passed,  and  the  intentions  of  General  Scott  not 
being  as  yet  developed,  it  was  conjectured  that  operations  might 
commence  simultaneously  at  different  points.  Troops  were 
therefore  sent  to  Union  City,  (Kentucky,)  near  Cairo,  on  the 
Mississippi,  and  to  Columbus,  (Kentucky,)  on  the  same  river ; 
the  latter  place  being  the  last  station  of  the  Mobile  and  Ohio 
Railroad,  and  of  great  importance  in  many  ways.  Troops  were 
also  hurriedly  despatched  to  Western  Yirginia,  but  not  in 
large  bodies.  Indeed,  our  infant  Government  seemed  over- 
whelmed with  care  and  anxiety  to  meet  the  storm  that  was  rap- 
idly approaching,  and  could  scarcely  attend  to  the  wants  of  her 
little  army.  It  is  true  the  various  State  arsenals  contained  more 
arms  than  were  necessary  for  the  seventy-five  thousand  men 
called  upon — thanks  to  the  statesmanlike  foresight  of  our  leaders, 
and  the  cooperatibn  of  Governor  Floyd,  ex-Minister  of  War  un- 
der Buchanan — yet  their  quality  and  effectiveness  were  very  in- 
different indeed,  while  the  ammunition  found  at  hand  on  the 
outbreak  proved  to  have  been  made  up  of  the  very  worst  de- 
scription of  powder ;  so  much  so,  that  after  the  second  discharge 
our  muskets  were  so  dirty  as  to  become  almost  unserviceable. 

The  quartermaster's  and  commissary  departments,  also,  were 
in  great  confusion,  and  the  service  far  from  efficient.  Although 
the  country  abounded  in  corn-meal,  bacon,  flour,  etc.,  it  was  ev- 
ident our  stores  could  not  last  for  ever,  as  the  two  last-named 
articles  were  chiefly  (and  perhaps  solely)  to  be  found  North. 
We  were  rich  in  cotton,  sugar,  tobacco,  rice,  hemp,  etc.,  but  these 
were  not  commissary  stores,  or  absolute  necessaries,  and  as  we 
did  not  produce  any  other,  and  were  not  in  any  sense  a  manu- 


ORDERED  TO  VIRGINIA.  15 

facturing  people,  we  found  the  whole  North  ridiculing  us  and 
our  preparations  for  conquering  our  independence.  Indeed, 
their  common  taunt  was,  "  How  can  you  live  without  us  ?  Why, 
we  will  starve  you'into  submission."  At  the  outset,  however, 
President  Davis  and  his  military  advisers  had  foreseen,  and  pro- 
vided for,  many  of  our  most  needful  supplies  :  with  funds  imme- 
diately furnished  by  private  negotiation,  they  had  bought  up 
many  millions  of  various  rations  in  Northern  markets,  while 
merchants  by  the  thousand  quietly  proceeded  up  the  country 
and  procured  immense  supplies  of  merchandise  and  wares,  be- 
fore the  North  had  arrived  at  any  distinct  idea  of  our  determi- 
nation to  be  free,  and  of  the  certainty  of  warfare.  The  Israel- 
ites, as  usual,  far  surpassed  the  Gentiles  in  shrewdness  at  this 
auspicious  moment,  and  laid  in  stocks  (procured  on  credit) 
which,  in  almost  every  instance,  were  retailed  at  rates  from  five 
hundred  to  one  thousand  per  cent  above  ordinary  prices ;  cash 
being  always  exacted.  Many  of  these  gentry  proved  unscru- 
pulous knaves  during  the  war  ;  for  having  husbanded  their 
goods  for  one  or  two  years,  and  converted  them  into  coin,  if  they 
did  not  decamp  from  the  Confederacy  altogether,  they  found  a 
thousand  and  one  excuses  for  not  bearing  arms  for  the  country 
that  had  enriched  them,  and  in  which  perchance  they  had  been 
born.  This  is  true  of  Hollanders  generally,  and  of  Dutch  Jews 
almost  universally. 

It  becoming  apparent  that  General  Scott's  main  line  of  ad- 
vance and  attack  would  be  from  Washington  towards  the  Con- 
federate capital  of  Richmond,  the  majority  of  our  forces  were 
directed  to  a  point  mid-way  between  both  places.  From  our 
camp  ground  we  daily  saw  trains  passing  onwards  to  Eichmond, 
the  locomotives  and  cars  being  decked  with  flags  and  banners, 
while  on  the  top  of  the  cars  bands  of  music  might  be  seen,  and 
crowds  of  soldiers  shouting  and  yelling  to  us  as  they  passed 
swiftly  onward.  The  Washington  artillery  (four  companies) 
from  New-Orleans  had  gone  the  day  before,  and  we  almost  en- 
vied them  their  trip  to  Eichmond.  We  were  much  afraid  the 
War  Department  would  order  us  to  Union  City ;'  but  one  eve- 
ning as  we  sat  chatting  round  our  camp  fires,  the  agreeable  or- 
der was  given — "  Strike  tents  !  pack  up  for  Virginia,  boys !" 

Such  rejoicing,  such  confusion,  such  hilarity,  and  obstreper- 
ous behavior  as  characterized  our  camps  on  the  reception  of 


16  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE  SOUTH. 

this  news,  can  scarcely  be  imagined.  Some  joined  hands  and 
capered  round  their  camp-fires  in  an  Indian  war-dance  ;  pots 
were  turned  over,  and  immense  bonfires  made  of  straw  and 
wood,  while  yells  and  howls  rent  the  air,  so  that  the  drums  and 
bugles  at  tattoo  could  be  scarcely  heard  in  the  unearthly  din. 
Eegiments  on  the  hills,  in  the  woods,  in  the  jflain,  and  from 
every  direction,  caught  up  the  shout,  and  for  one  full  hour  the 
Vhole  scene  far  and  wide  was  naught  but  noisy  merriment  and 
excitement.  The  ceremony  of  "roll-call"  that  night  was  cer- 
tainly a  ridiculous  farce  :  the  "  orderly  "  was  laughed  at,  and 
coughed  at ;  a  general  buzz  and  suppressed  laughter  ran  along 
the  whole  company  line,  and  the  usual  calls  for  "  Smith  John, 
^Tones  James,"  were  received  with  derisive  cheers,  as  if  it  were 
possible  any  one  could  be  absent  on  so  momentous  and  joyful 
an  occasion. 

Tents  were  soon  struck,  "  four  days'  rations  "  were  quickly 
cooked,  and  all  the  camp  equipage  expeditiously  packed  and 
carried  down  to  the  railroad  station  and  properly  guarded. 
Many  journeys  were  necessary  to  transfer  all  our  extra  baggage 
to  the  depot,  and  from  the  alacrity  of  the  men  id  proffering 
their  services  to  carry  things,  and  the  cloudy,  mystified  appear- 
ance of  those  who  had  been  detailed  for  that  duty  all  the  even- 
ing, our  officers,  suspected  that  some  strange  barrel  had  been 
tapped  by  them  in  their  frequent  journeys  to  and  fro.  The  in- 
coherent answers  of  the  men,  and  the  long  absence  of  the  ser- 
geant and  his  guard,  caused  a  scout  to  be  sent  out,  who  reported 
that  the  sergeant  and  his  squad  were  dancing  in  a  bar-room,  all 
of  them  in  a  blissful  state  of  intoxication.  A  corporal's  guard 
was  sent  to  arrest  them,  ,but  the  tipsy  sergeant  challenged  the 
corporal  t9  play  the  violin,  and  in  less  than  half  an  hour  the 
fourth  corporal  and  his  guard  were  no  better  than  their  com- 
rades, and  commenced  dancing  like  so  many  madmen.  When 
discovered,  the  corporal  was  found  seated  upon  an  empty 
whisky- barrel,  playing  the  fiddle,  while  all  hands  were  indus- 
triously kicking  their  heels  in  a  cotillion.  They  were  of  course 
marched  back  to  camp  under  escort. 

To  prevent  intoxication,  the  greatest  precaution  had  been  ta 
ken  by  our  officers :  no  person  was  allowed  to  sell  or  give  liquor 
to  the  men ;  but  as  Southerners  usually  drink  in  excess  com- 
pared with  other  people,  every  artifice  was  resorted  to  by  the 


EN  ROUTE  TO  MANASSAS.  17 

men  to  obtain  it ;  as  much  as  five  dollars  (£1)  being  freely  given, 
for  a  pint  of  liquor.  But  as  all  had  to  go  to  the  well,  and  as 
guards  were  not  over  exact  on  an  occasion  like  this,  the  men 
easily  stole  through  the  "  lines,"  filled  their  canteens  at  some 
out-of-the-way  "  doggery,"*  and  before  morning  broke,  nearly 
every  man  was  amply  provided  for  his  journey. 

With  a  full  head  of  steam  on,  and  with  the  Stars  and  Bars 
floating  on  the  front  of  the  engine,  we  gave  one  long  and  un- 
earthly yell  as  we  passed  our  old  camping  ground,  and  at  the 
rate  of  twenty-five  miles  an  hour,  dashed  along  the  road  to  Vir- 
ginia in  gallant  style,  the  band  playing  "Dixie,"  and  other 
tunes  peculiar  to  the  times.  Four  trains  followed  ours,  keeping 
in  sight  all  day  ;  and  as  we  progressed  farther  on  our  journey, 
we  overtook  other  trains,  similarly  freighted,  and  bound  for  the 
same  destination. 

At  every  town,  the  cars  were  received  with  much  rejoicing; 
the  ladies  being  foremost  in  the  expression  of  their  patriotism 
and  fervor  for  the  cause  in  which  we  were  all  embarked.  Mili- 
tary companies  were  frequently  drawn  up  at  the  ddpot ;  the 
men  vexed  beyond  expression,  because  they  had  not,  like  us, 
received  "marching  orders."  Collations  were  prepared  for  us  on 
every  hand,  and  if  the  train  stopped  but  for  a  few  minutes  to  re- 
plenish fuel  or  water,  milk,  buttermilk,  boiled  eggs,  ham,  bread, 
cooked  vegetables,  cakes,  pastry,  and  a  thousand  etceteras,  were 
lavishly  bestowed  upon  us,  while  the  old  ladies  would  wave 
handkerchiefs,. and  shout :  " God  bless  you,  boys.  Teach  them 
how  Southerners  can  fight ;  be  men,  and  never  give  up."  Such 
patriotism  as  the  women  displayed  is  certainly  beyond  all  de- 
scription; they  seemed  to  give  all  heart  and  soul  to  the  cause: 
where  men  would  smile  or  look  serious,  mothers  and  daughters 
put  on  their  best  looks  with  their  holiday  attire,  and  while  al- 
most smothering  us  with  bouquets,  would  cheer  us  onwards 
with  words  of  hope  and  praise,  and  try  to  hide  the  eloquent 
tear-drops  glistening  in  their  eyes.  The  negroes,  too,  at  the 
plough,  in  the  cotton  fields,  or  beside  their  cabin  doors,  rushed 
out,  hat  in  hand,  mounted  the  fence,  .and  rolling  their  eyes  in 
wonder  or  delight,  would  shout  success  to  us  on  our  journey. 
We  travelled  to-day  hundreds  of  miles  through  our  own 

*  A  low  bar-room  is  so  called. 


18  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

State — to-morrow  as  great  a  distance  through  another — and  yet 
there  was  always  the  same  feeling  displayed ;  there  was  no  re- 
pining, but  all  rejoicing  and  hilarity:  and,  save  through  a  dis- 
trict of  a  few  miles  in  East-Tennessee,  where  the  inhabitants 
are  proverbially  cold,  hard-fisted,  and  of  Abolition  sentiments, 
through  the  influence  of  a  few  Northern  office-holders,  we  never 
heard  the  slightest  whisper  of  Union  sentiment,  but,  on  the  con- 
trary, the  most  intense  Southern  feeling.  Although  our  men, 
in  passing  through  the  disaffected  district,  (East-Tennessee,)  had 
frequent  opportunities  to  wreak  their  vengeance  on  the  persons 
or  dwellings  of  a  few  Northern  sympathizers,  yet  not  a  word  or 
gesture  was  exhibited  by  the  boys  contrary  to  the  behavior  of 
gentlemen ;  and  this,  notwithstanding  the  incontestable  evidence 
they  possessed  that  some  few  miscreants  had  meditated  our  total 
destruction  by  obstructions  on  the  rails,  and  attempts  to  fire 
bridges  across  the  streams.  At  length,  on  arriving  at  Lynch- 
burgh,  (Virginia,)  we  thought  our  travels  were  at  an  end,  for 
now  we  were  on  the  sacred  soil  of  ihe  first  rebel  (/),  the  immortal 
Washington:  but  still 'our  troubles  and  annoyances  were  far 
from  ended.  Many  troops  had  arrived  before  us,  and  nearly 
every  available  spot  in  and  around  the  city  was  occupied  by 
forces  from  nearly  every 'State  in  the  Confederacy.  After  tedi- 
ous and  harassing  marches  to  and  fro,  in  search  of  camping 
grounds,  we  at  last  pitched  tents  outside  of  the  amphitheatre  of 
the  Fair  Grounds,  and  commenced  to  drill,  as  usual,  three  times 
a  day.  The  guards  were  now  so  numerous  and  strict  that  it 
was  next  to  an  impossibility  for  any  one  to  elude  them,  or  ob- 
tain permission  to  visit  the  city,  basking  in  the  sunlight  at  the 
foot  of  the  hill.  The  thought  of  "Lynchburgh  tobacco"  tempt- 
ed many  to  make  large  investments  for  the  campaign;  but  in 
this  we  committed  grave  mistakes,  for  we  were  compelled  to 
carry  every  pound  of  freight  we  accumulated,  and  found  from 
experience  that  tobacco  of  a  far  superior  quality  could  be  ob- 
tained thousands  of  miles  away  on  the  Gulf  Coast. 

After  a  few  days'  stay,  we  continued  our  march,  and  for  the 
first  time  heard  mention  of  "Manassas,"  and  "Manassas  Gap." 
Our  quartermasters  being  inexperienced,  we  suffered  many  dis- 
appointments before  we  could  leave:  train  after  train  started 
before  us,  and  we  had  to  bivouac  around  the  railroad  station  as 


AT  MASTASSAS  STATION.  19 

best  we  could  for  two  nights,  waiting  for  accommodation.  At 
last  we  got  started,  and  rapidly  traversed  one  of  the  most  beau- 
tiful regions  in  the  world :  hills  and  valleys,  adorned  with  pic- 
turesque little  villages,  substantial  and  elegantly  laid  out  towns, 
and  colleges  and  schools  without  number.  When  night  came 
on  we  travelled  through  a  flat  unbroken  country.  Seeing  no 
houses  for  many  miles,  and  supposing  we  were  far  from  our 
journey's  end,  nearly  all  went  to  sleep,  myself  among  the  num- 
ber. Feeling  cold,  I  awoke,  and  looking  out  of  the  cattle-cars 
in  which  we  were  stowed,  was  astonished  to  learn  we  had  ar- 
rived at  Manassas  station,  thirty  miles  from  Washington,  and 
about  eighty  from  Richmond. 

I  could  scarcely  believe  thdt  this  was  a  great  military  ddpot, 
there  being  nothing  within  my  range  of  vision  to  indicate  that 
such  was  the  fact.  The  station  itself  was  a  low,  one-storied 
building,  about  seventy-five  feet  in  length,  with  bales  and  boxes 
scattered  about ;  a  house  of  refreshment  close  by  was  uninviting, 
and  except  one  or  two  gmall  cottages  scattered  here  and  there, 
naught  was  to  be  seen.  Two  or  three  tents  were  standing  close 
to  the  depot,  with  lights  in  them ;  a  guard  here  and  there  walk- 
ed his  post  noiselessly,  and  in  the  distance,  on  neighboring  hills, 
a  few  smouldering  camp-fires  were  discernible.  Only  a  mound 
of  newly  turned  earth,  here  and  there,  indicated  that  the  spade 
and  shovel  had  been  at  work  in  fortifying,  while  the  muzzles  of 
a  few  guns  in  the  embrasures  pointed  up  the  track  towards 
Washington.  A  trooper  or  two  would  occasionally  go  jingling 
past  in  the  direction  of  a  cottage  a  few  hundred  yards  in  ad- 
vance ;  and  from  the  lights  in  windows,  and  groups  seated  round 
camp  fires,  in  the  orchard,  I  learned  that  the  dwelling  was  Gen- 
eral Beauregard's  head-quarters. 


CHAPTER  HI. 

Arrival  at  Manassas-— Appearance  of  Things  by  Night — Operations  of  our  Army 
opposed  to  Patterson  around  Harper's  Ferry  —  Forward  Movements  of  the 
Enemy — Jackson  opens  the  Ball — Colonel  Maxey  Gregg  attacks  the  Northern 
Troops  on  the  Railway  at  Vienna — Earthworks  at  Manassas — Strength  of  our 
Troops — Scouting  Parties — Letter  from  a  Friend,  giving  Details  of  the  Action 
at  Carthage. 

OUR  engineless  train  lay  along  the  track,  with  others  in  the 
rear ;  no  one  was  stirring ;  the  stars  shone  out  in  the  clear  cold 
skies  with  unusual  brilliancy.  To  amuse  myself,  I  spoke  to 
the  nearest  guard,  and  gleaned  scraps  of  information  regarding 
the  topography  of  the  country.  "Do  you  see  yonder  chain 
of  hills  rising  in  the  south-west,  and  running  north  ?  Well, 
that  is  a  spur  of  the  Blue  Ridge ;  and  where  you  now  see  the 
moon  rising,  and  those  flickering  lights,  that  is  the  '  Gap,' 
through  which  the  railroad  runs  from  here  to  Strasburgh. 
From  the  latter  place  to  Winchester,  twelve  miles,  there  is  a 
break  in  the  track.  From  Winchester,  however,  the  road  runs 
to  Harper's  Ferry,  and  there  joins  the  Washington  and  Balti- 
more roads  to  the  east,  and  with  the  Western  Virginia  and 
Ohio  Railroads  to  the  west.  General  Joe  Johnston  is  at  the 
Ferry  with  a  small  force  guarding  the  passage ;  for  if  General 
Patterson  and  his  forty  thousand  men  pour  across  from  Mary- 
land and  Pennsylvania  into  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  they  can 
march  on  this  place  by  the  flank,  while  Scott  moves  down  from 
Washington  in  our  front.  'Tis  fully  sixty  miles,  however,  from 
the  Ferry  here,  and  if  we  hadn't  so  many  traitors  and  spies 
around  at  all  points,  night  and  day,  our  boys  wouldn't  be 
obliged  to  guard  the  '  Gap '  yonder  this  cold  night,"  (May 
first,  1861.) 

The  troops  were  nearly  all  from  the  far  South,  which  account- 
ed for  their  chilliness.  Giving  the  guard  a  drink  of  brandy, 
we  became  friendly  in  a  short  time,  and  he  continued  :  "Yon- 


NIGHT  SIGNALS.  21 

der  black  streak  you  see  rising  from  the  south  south-west, 
running  north,  and  turning  off  due  east,  is  the  timber  around 
Bull  Run ;  'tis  about  three  or  four  miles  distant  from  here  to 
any  point,  and  the  high  grounds  you  observe  rising  abruptly 
beyond  the  stream- — the  table-land  I  mean,  northward— 'and 
shelving  to  the  east  across  the  track,  is  Centreville.  A  small 
detachment  and  military  telegraph  post  is  stationed  there 
watching  the  roads  from  the  Upper  Potomac  and  Leesburgh, 
coming  in  west,  and  keeping  open  communication  with  General 
Bpnham,  who  holds  Fairfax .  Court-House  and  the  railroad 
station  midway  between  Washington  and  this  place.  Trains 
run  there  night  and  day.  See  yonder !"  said  my  companion, 
pointing  towards  Centreville.  "They  are  working  the  tele- 
graph I  See  them  repeating  the  signals  on  yonder  hill  ?  "Wait 
a  minute,  and  you'll  perceive  the  answer  given  from  Beau- 
regard's  quarters." 

In  a  few  minutes,  one  of  the  men  sitting  around  the  large 
fire  in  front  of  the  General's  quarters,  seized  a  long  red  fagot 
from  the  flames,  and  going  to  the  north  end  of  the  house,  began 
swaying  it  to  the.  right  and  left,  according  to  directions ;  now 
horizontally,  again  perpendicularly,  and  seemed  to  be  cutting 
an  imaginary  circle  at  different  angles.  The  signs  were  in- 
stantly repeated  from  post  to  post,  and  thus  traversed .  fifteen 
miles  within  a  very  few  minutes!  "General  Bonham's  got 
his  answer  before  now,  I  know,"  said  the  sentry ;  "  I  wonder 
what  it  is  all  about,  though  ?  There'll  be  hot  work,  shortly,  or 
they  wouldn't  be  working  that  machine  so  often  at  night." 
In  a  few  moments  I  heard  some  distant  voice  shout  out: 
"Third  Relief  Turn  out,  Third  Relief!"  and  after  a  little 
bustle,  jingling  of  accoutrements,  and  a  hurried  calling  of  the 
roll,  I  saw  bayonets  glistening  and  advancing  in  the  distance, 
to  relieve  my  agreeable  companion ;  so,  giving  him  another 
drink  of  brandy,  I  bade  him  good  night,  and  picked  my  way 
back  again  to  our  cattle-cars,  to  sleep  as  best  I  could  for  the 
rest  of  the  night. 

When  morning  came,  we  all  thought  that  Beauregard  and 
other  generals  would  call  and  inspect  or  review  us ;  but  our 
vanity  was  not  so  flattered.  We  were  marched  some  two  miles 
past  the  station;  our  baggage  was  brought  down  by  an 


22  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

engine  and  cars,  and  before  we  could  well  recover  from 
a  journey  of  thirteen  hundred  miles,  we  were  unceremoni- 
ously marched  into  some  large  open  fields  parallel  with  the 
railroad,  and  about  two  miles  from  Bull  Eun.  Camps  being 
formed,  drill  was  commenced  and  proceeded  with  incessantly. 
Little  could  be  gleaned  regarding  Federal  movements.  Gen- 
eral Joe  Johnston  had  evacuated  Harper's  Ferry,  we  knew,  arid 
the  act  was  much  censured  by  non-military  critics  ;  as  for  the 
troops, -they  said  nothing,  but  reposed  implicit  reliance  in  the 
wisdom  and  skill  of  our  generals. 

Patterson  was  massing  his  troops  for  a  descent  into  the 
Shenandoah  Valtey,  but  at  what  point  to  expect  his  crossing 
no  one  could  tell.  Colonel  Jackson  (subsequently  named 
"  Stonewall "  by  way  of  distinction)  was  second  in  command 
under  Johnston,  and  guarded  the  Upper  Potomac  with  great 
vigilance.  It  was  evident  the  Federals  did  not  intend  to  force 
a  passage  at  the  Ferry,  for  we  held  the  town  and  heights  abovB 
it,  and  could  defy  all  their  attempts.  -It  was  soon  apparent 
that  they  intended  to  cross  higher  up ;  so  having  no  means  or 
fprce  to  garrison  the  place,  we  destroyed  the  works,  removed 
all  materiel,  and  evacuated  it ;  advancing  higher  up  the  river 
towards  Martinsburgh,  and  for  the  most  part  lying  in  ambush. 
When  their  advance  had  crossed,  Colonel  Jackson's  force 
(about  three  thousand)  assailed  them  vigorously,  took  many 
prisoners,  a  few  arms,  and  drove  their  main  body  back  to  the 
river.  They  had  crossed,  however,  in  such  strength,  that  it 
was  impossible  to  inflict  any  decided  punishment  with  the  few 
troops  under  his  command  ;  Colonel  Jackson,  therefore,  retreat- 
ed slowly  and  orderly  towards  Charlestown,  (midway  between 
Harper's  Ferry  and  Winchester,)  whither  Johnston's  main  force 
had  retired.  While  Johnston's  and  Patterson's  forces  were  thus 
facing  each  other  near  Charlestown  things  were  unchanged  at 
Manassas.  Reports,  indeed,  were  circulated  daily  regarding 
the  enemy's  movements,  but  nothing  of  consequence  transpired. 

While  seated  by  the  tent-door  one  afternoon  inJjjnj^  I  heard 
three  distinct  reports  of  light  field-pieces  fromtne  direction  of 
Washington,  but  did  not  attach  any  importance  to  the  fact. 
Next  day  we  learned  that  one  of  the  Federal  generals  (Schlich 
by  name)  had  been  out  on  a  reconnoissance,  and  met  with  a 


ATTACK  ON  A  RAILROAD  TRAIN.  23 

serious  reception  from  a  handful  of  Confederates.  Schlich,  or 
Schlick,  had  novel  notions  of  warfare,  and  intended  to  carry 
on  operations  in  a  free-and-easy  style :  so  embarking  two  or 
three  Ohio  regiments  on  a  long  train,  with  two  field-pieces,  he 
proceeded  down  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  road,  with  the 
engine  in  the  rear.  Colonel  Maxey  Gregg,  with  the  First 
South-Carolina  Volunteers,  was  guarding  the  road;  and  his 
scouts  reporting  the  approach  of  the  train,  he  prepared  to  give 
it  a  warm  reception,  and  placed  two  field-pieces  on  a  -wooded 
eminence  commanding  a  long  curve  in  the  road.  Leisurely 
approaching,  Schlick  and  other  officers  were  enjoying  them- 
selves with  champagne  and  cigars,  unconscious  of  danger, 
when,  as  the  train  entered  the  curve  mentioned,  our  guns 
opened  with  such  destructive  effect  that  seven  cars  were  de- 
tached from  the  train,  smashed  to  pieces,  and  nearly  every 
occupant  killed  or  wounded.  The  engine  was  instantly  re- 
versed, and  disappeared  in  a  few  moments,  leaving  hundreds 
of  killed  and  wounded  behind.  Unaware  of  their  force  or  in- 
tentions, Colonel  Gregg  changed  his  position  and  retired  to- 
wards General  Bonham  at  Fairfax  Court-House. 

This  incident  was  the  origin  of  those  wonderful  stories 
manufactured  at  the  North  about  "  masked  batteries,"  etc.,  and 
which  served  for  a  time  to  create  hobgoblin  notions  regarding 
us,  and  to  account  for  any  reverse  they  might  meet  with  at  our 
hands. 

As  the  month  of  June  drew  to  a  close,  our  preparations  in 
and  around  Manassas  began  to  assume  a  formidable  appearance. 
Heavy  guns  were  brought  up,  and  earthworks  began  to  rise  in 
different  directions  around  the  station,  but  nowhere  else  ;  woods 
were  felled  by  the  acre  to  give  free  range  for  artillery,  and 
troops  were  placed  in  different  directions,  but  with  what  design 
I  could  not  imagine.  The  strength  of  our  forces,  and  the 
number  of  guns,  were  not  generally  known.  Quartermasters 
and  commissaries  seemed  to  be  the  oracles  in  such  matters,  and 
as  they  were  supposed  to  be  acquainted  with  the  secrets  of 
headquarters,  the  majority  seemed  to  place  implicit  reliance  in 
their  statements.  As  might  be  expected,  these  important  indi- 
viduals were  in  great  request,  and  answered  the  most  simple 
interrogatories  with  great  solemnity  and  caution.  Our  strength 


24:  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

from  such  sources  of  information  was  put  down  at  from  seven- 
ty-five thousand  to  one  hundred  thousand;  while  the  truth 
was,  our  whole  army  there  assembled  did  not  muster  more  than 
twenty  thousand  men,  and  twenty  guns;  Johnston  having 
ten  thousand  men  and  twenty  guns  with  him  in  the  Shenandoah 
Valley. ' 

Daily  reports  now  began  to  possess  interest.  Pegram  had 
been  surprised  and  defeated  by  McClellan,  at  Eich  Mountain  in 
Western  Virginia,  (July  twelfth,)  and  from  reports  of  killed  and 
wounded,  it  was  very  evident  the  Federals  had  no  idea  of 
amusing  themselves  by  throwing  snowballs  at  us.  Scott  began 
to  push,  his  outposts  towards  Fairfax  Court-House,  and  sharp 
skirmishing  was  of  daily  occurrence ;  but  with  little  damage  to 
either  side.  We  learned  that  our  independent  scouts  around 
Alexandria  caused  much  annoyance  and  loss  by  their  unerring 
aim ;  and  judging  by  the  exploits  of  some  few  of  those  adven- 
turous individuals  who  visited  us  in  camp,  I  can  not  wonder 
that  the  Northern  press  was  so  bitter  against  them.  They  were 
well  mounted  and  accoutred,  and  dead  shots  at  five  hundred 
yards.  Most  of  them  were  gentlemen  of  means,  who  took 
delight  in  the  work,  and  were  as  crafty  as  Indians  in  their 
movements. 

In  the  beginning  of  July,  scouting  companies,  mounted  and 
foot,  daily  scoured  the  whole  country,  within  and  without  our 
lines  to  the  front ;  while  lines  of  picket  guards  dotted  Bull 
Bun,  and  watched  all  the  fords  with  such  vigilance  that  several 
cows  advancing  to  drink  as  usual,  were  mistaken  for  spies 
crawling  among  the  bushes  in  the  dark,  and  met  an  untimely 
fate.  When  one  fired,  some  other  feverish  guard  would  follow 
suit  from  force  of  imagination,  and  within  a  few  moments  a 
succession  of  "  poppings "  could  be  heard  along  the  whole 
picket  line-.  This  carelessness  of  the  outposts  caused  us  all 
much  annoyance. 

A  company  of  Virginians  held  the  railroad  bridge  over  the 
Run,  when  about  two  A.M.  their  advance  fired  three  shots  in 
rapid  succession.  The  nearest  regiments  beat  to  arms,  and 
within  two  minutes  drums  were  sounding  in  all  directions 
while  the  only  words  spoken  were  :  "They  are  coming!  It  is 
a  surprise  1  Old  Scott  is  advancing  over  the  hills  with  fifty 


FALSE  ALARM.  25 

thousand  men!"  Thump,  thump,  sounded  the  big  drums, 
bugles  called  the  "  assembly,"  while  the  incessant  rattle  of 
small  drums  was  alarming.  "  They  are  coming — fall  in,  boys, 
quick!"  were  the  only  words  passed  from  one  to  another. 
"  Fall  in  "  we  did,  and  in  an  immense  hurry  :  some  without 
boots,  hats,  or  coa^s  seized  their  arms,  and  the  regiment  was 
formed  and  drawn  up  ready  for  action  within  five  minutes 
from  the  first  alarm.  Many  were  on  the  sick  list,  and  had  not 
been  out  to  drill  for  days ;  yet  out  of  two  hundred  who  had 
thus  shunned  duty  previously,  not  one  was  out  of  place  in 
line  of  battle.  Captains  might  be  seen  in  their  shirt-sleeves 
smoking  cigars,  men  sat  on  the  grass,  expecting  orders  every 
minute,  but  after  standing  shivering  in  the  cold  morning  air 
for  an  hour,  all  marched  back  to  quarters,  much  disappoint- 
ed and  annoyed. 

Alarms  of  this  nature  became  frequent,  and  were  often  re- 
sorted to  by  our  Colonel  when  desirous  of  ridding  the  doctor's 
list  of  a  few  score  of  those  playing  the  "old  soldier."  For  be 
ii  said,  to  the  credit  of  our  men,  that,  although  many  counter- 
feited sickness  or  ailments  to  escape  drill,  marching,  or  police 
duty,  I  knew  none  who  would  not  turn  out  with  alacrity  when- 
ever there  was  any  prospect  of  a  fight;  some,  indeed,  who 
were  really  sick  had  to  be  forced  out  of  the  ranks,  so  anxious 
were  all  to  do  their  duty,  and  render  service  in  our  common 
cause. 

About  this  time  I  received  the  following  letter  from  a  friend 
in  Missouri,  descriptive  of  the  battle  of  Carthage,  and  the  up- 
rising of  the  people  in  that  State.  It  is  inserted  here  as  an 
authentic  account  of  the  incidents  leading  to  the  engagement, 
and  of  the  rout  of  the  Federal  troops  : 

"Cowskin  Prairie,  McDonald  Co.,  Missouri, 
July  8,    1861. 

"  DEAR  TOM  ' :  I  suppose  the  heading  of  this  letter  will  sur- 
prise you,  for  I  am  no  longer  in  my  comfortable  office  in  the 
good  city  of  St.  Louis,  but  one  of  Price's  '  rebels,'  camped  in 
this  out-of-the-way  place,  near  the  Indian  nation.  As  you 
desire  to  know  every  thing  regarding  our  movements,  I  will 
narrate  things  as  they  occurred  since  I  last  saw  you. 


26  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF   THE   SOUTH. 

"  When  the  Border  States  found  that  a  coercive  policy  was 
determined  upon,  Missouri  was  one  of  the  first  to  oppose  it. 
We  had  no  arms,  but  were  certain  the  sympathies  of  our  peo- 
ple would  sustain  us.  Lincoln's  hirelings  were  stirring  up  the 
German  element  in  different  parts  of  the  State,  trusting  by  the 
distribution  of  arms  in  abundance,  to  overawe  any  expression  of 
feeling  in  favor  of  our  sister  Southern  States.  Governor  Clai- 
borne  Jackson,  feeling  that  delays  might  prove  dangerous,,  or- 
dered (in  May)  the  State  Guard  to  go  into  encampments  for 
their  customary  annual  drill.  Brigadier-General  Frost  pitched 
his  camp  in  the  outskirts  of  St.  Louis,  and  called  it  "  Camp 
Jackson ;"  a  full  regiment  of  the  city  companies  assembled,  and 
daily  went  through  the  customary  exercises.  The  Abolition 
German  element  was  opposed  to  this,  and  unknown  to  the  ma- 
jority of  us,  Captain  Lyon  led  them"  in  great  numbers  around 
our  camps,  and  forced  our  men  to  deliver  up  their  arms  and 
disband.  This  was  a  piece  of  treachery  we  did  not  expect  from 
Frost,  our  general,  who  we  thought  was  favorable  to  sustaining 
State  right  principles.  The  cowardly  Germans,  however,  were 
not  content  in  thus  humiliating  us,  but  on  some  slight  pre- 
text, fired  upon  the  assembled  crowds,  killing  and  wounding 
many ;  and  getting  drunk  on  lager  beer,  committed  all  manner 
of  depredations  in  and  around  the  city.  The  arsenals,  and  all 
the  railroads,  were  in  their  possession,  and  as  the  city  was 
watched  from  several  points,  citizens  being  arrested,  arms  seized, 
houses  searched,  etc.,  it  was  soon  perceived  that  Lincoln  and 
Lyon  were  determined  to  suppress,  by  force,  any  Southern  feel- 
ing existing  in  the  State,  and  to  spare  none  that  opposed  them. 
As  nine  tenths  of  our  State,  to  your  own  knowledge,  was  sound- 
ly Democratic  and  Southern,  we  awoke  to  find  ourselves  under 
the  iron  heel  of  tyranny. 

"  Determined  that  the  State  should  not  be  manacled  without 
a  struggle,  and  fully  informed  that  Lyon  meditated  seizing  the 
capital  at  Jefferson  City,  Governor  Jackson,  in  June,  issued  a 
call  for  fifty  thousand  volunteers,  and  transferred  the  archives 
to  Boonville,  about  eighty  miles  above,  on  the  Missouri  Eiver. 
Ex-Governor  Sterling  Price  was  named  general  in  chief  of 
these  forces,  whenever  they  could  be  gathered,  and  seven  or  eight 
brigadiers  appointed  to  assist  him,  including  Eains,  Parsons, 


MISSOURI  TKOOPS  AT  BOONVILLE.  27 

and  others.*  The  call  was  immediately  responded  to  by  three 
or  four  hundred  men,  myself  among  the  number;  for  I  was 
tired  of  witnessing  the  tyrannical  acts  of  Lyon,  and  his  friends 
the  Dutch  Abolitionists.  On  arriving  at  Jefferson  City,  I  found 
that  all  the  State  officers  had  gone  to  Boonville,  with  boat-loads 
of  books,  papers,  and  other  property,  and  proceeding  there  I 
found  that  our  collective  force  did  not  exceed  seven  hundred 
men,  armed  with  such  weapons  as  they  could  find,  and  attired 
in  every  variety  of  costume.  Some  had  fine  clothes  and  '  stove- 
pipes,'f  some  were  ragged,  if  not  totalty  destitute.  Altogether, 
I  felt  discouraged,  as  you  may  suppose  ;  for  I  knew  that  Lyon, 
at  St.  Louis,  had  thousands  of  men,  well  armed,  well  drilled, 
and  uniformed  ;  and,  being  in  possession  of  the  railroads,  could 
throw  a  heavy  force  in  our  route  whichever  way  we  moved. 

"The  ' Southern  Question '  by  this  time  seems  to  have 
aroused  the  rural  population,  and  they  swore  that  the  Dutch  in 
the  river  cities  should  not  rule  the  State,  even  if  supported  by 
all  the  wealth  and  power  of  the  Lincoln  Government.  "We 
had  not  been  at  Boonville  long,  ere  it  was  ascertained  that  Lyon 
and  Blair  contemplated  a  movement  upon  that  place,  in  order  to 
crush  the  rebels  the  instant  they  stirred.  At  this  critical 
moment,  Price  being  sick  and  unable  to  attend  to  business, 
Colonel  Marmaduke  fook  command  of  our  force,  if  a  body  such 
as  I  have  described  deserves  the  name.  But  their  strength  con- 
sisted in  the  fact  that  a  pure  patriotism  had  caused  them  to  take 
the  field. 

"  It  was  soon  ascertained  that  Lyon  was  approaching  up  the 
Missouri  with  several  thousand  men  and  half-a-dozen  field- 
pieces.  Colonel  Marmaduke  \  was  fearful  of  the  disparity  in 

*  Brigadier-General  Gabriel  J.  Rains  is  a  North-Carolinian,  and  has  greatly  dis- 
tinguished himself  throughout  the  Missouri  campaign.  He  is  about  fifty  years  of 
age  ;  entered  the  U.  S.  service  as  brevet  Second  Lieutenant  First  Infantry,  July  first, 
1827  ;  Brevet  Major,  August  twentieth,  1847,  and  held  that  rank  in  the  Fourth  In- 
fantry when  he  joined  Price  in  June,  1861.  He  was  immediately  appointed  Bri- 
gadier General  by  Governor  Jackson,  and  has  been  present  in  almost  every  fight. 

•j-  Dress  hats  are  so  termed. 

\  Colonel  John  S.  Marmaduke  is  a  Missourian :  entered  the  service  as  brevet 
Second  Lieutenant  First  Infantry,  July  first,  1857  ;  was  Second  Lieutenant  Seventh 
Infantry,  August  first,  *1857  ;  joined  the  Missourians  at  Boonville,  with  rank  of 
Colonel,  and  on  account  of  services  is  now  Brigadier-General,  acting  in  the  same 
State. 


28  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE  SOUTH. 

force,  and  wished  to  retreat,  but  the  men  under  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Brand  were  determined  to  'fight.'  When  the  enemy  ap- 
peared, therefore,  our  handful  of  volunteers  drew  up  in  battle 
array  and  confronted  them,  and  within  two  hours  killed  and 
wounded  more  than  two  hundred,  our  loss  not  amounting  to  a 
dozen.  We  then  gave  up  the  fight,  and  retired  towards  Cole 
Camp,  where,  it  was  said,  a  force  of  the  enemy  were  stationed 
to  intercept  us ;  these  were  attacked  during  the  night  by  Colonel 
Kane  with  a  small  body  of  rebels,  and  defeated,  with  a  loss  of 
more  than  two  hundred  men  killed,  one  hundred  taken,  and 
five  hundred  stand  of  arms.  This  capture  assisted  in  Arming 
hundreds  who  were  flocking  to  us  on  our  line  of  march  towards 
Warsaw,  on  the  Osage  Eiver. 

"  Though  pursued  by  Colonel  Totten  and  a  thousand  cavalry, 
Governor  Jackson  safely  reached  Warsaw,  where  we  rested,  and 
began  to  look  about  us.  Our  case  was  desperate ;  we  were  but 
a  few  ill-armed  men  of  all  ages  and  all  sizes,  unaccustomed  to 
military  service,  and  less  used  to  privations  and  sufferings.  We 
had  no  tents,  no  commissary  or  quartermaster's  stores,  few 
wagons,  and  those  of  an  inferior  kind  —  in  truth,  we  were  a 
small  band  of  patriots  vastly  in  need  of  every  thing  but  '  pluck.' 
As  the  enemy  were  making  dispositions  for  our  capture,  and  had 
full  command  of  the  railways,  word  was  sent  to  General  Price 
at  Lexington  to  hurry  along  with  his  recruits,  so  as  to  fcfcm  a 
junction  with  Jackson's  small  force,  and,  by  common  consent, 
both  little  wings  met  and  joined  in  Cedar  County,  July  third. 

"Information  was  now  received  that  Sigel  had  been  de- 
spatched from  St.  Louis  with  over  three  thousand  men  by  the 
south  branch  of  the  Pacific  Eailroad,  and  was  actually  in 
Carthage,  not  many  miles  distant  in  our  front,  while  Lyon, 
Lane,  and  others  were  rapidly  approaching  on  the  flanks  and 
rear!  For  a  little  army  of  not  over  three  thousand  badly 
equipped  men,  this  was  a  sad  situation,  and  all  began  to  pre- 
pare for  the  worst ;  nevertheless,  on  the  fifth  of  July,  at  two  A.M., 
we  boldly  began  our  march  towards  Carthage.  After  a  march 
of  seven  hours,  word  was  brought  by  our  scouts  tHat  Sigel  was 
in  front,  with  the  number  of  troops  first  reported,  and  eight 
guns.  Still  we  moved  on,  until  between  ten  and  eleven  A.M. 
we  came  in  Ml  view  of  the  enemy  drawn  up  in  three  detach- 
ments, posted  on  a  rising  ground  in  the  prairie,  ready  to  dis- 


SIGEL  AT  CARTHAGE.  29 

/ 

pute  our  passage.  Although  much  tired  with  our  long  march, 
and  although  several  hundreds  in  our  command  had  no 
•weapons  of  any  description,  we  instantly  prepared  for  the  at- 
tack, and,  pushing  ahead,  drove  in  the  enemy's  pickets.  We 
had  several  old  cannon,  which  had  been  picked  up  here  and 
there  on  our  route — pieces  which  had  done  no  more  than  fire 
salutes  on  fourth  of  July  celebrations  and  the  like— but  we  were 
deficient  in  ammunition :  these  guns  we  were  careful  to  place  in 
commanding  positions.  Our  small  force  of  cavalry,  after  much 
discussion,  was  placed  upon  the  wings,  and  hardly  were  these 
dispositions  made,  when  Sigel's  guns  opened  on  us  with  great 
fury ;  nor  was  it  possible  for  our  cavalry  to  attack  them  either 
in  flank  or  rear,  as  intended,  for  their  constant  cannonade 
frightened  the  horses  and  made  them  quite  unmanageable. 

"  After  more  than  an  hour  of  indecisive  fighting  and  '  bush- 
whacking,' our  officers,  who  were  determined  to  bring  the  affair 
to  a  crisis,  ordered  a  '  charge.'  As  soon  as  we  began  to  advance 
at  the  '  double-quick,'  the  enemy  broke  and  ran,  crossing  a  broad 
creek  in  their  rear,  and  destroying  the  bridge,  leaving  many 
score  dead  and  wounded  behind.  They  halted  after  a  run  of 
about  two  miles  in  the  direction  of  Carthage,  and  many  of  us 
having  crossed  on  logs  and  floating  timber  formed  line,  and 
followed  in  pursuit.  We  were  badly  circumstanced ;  for  the 
enemy  had  obtained  a  splendid  position ;  being  concealed  in 
the  woods,  their  artillery  could  play  upon  us  as  we  advanced 
through  ^the  open  fields.  Our  cavalry,  finding  their  horses  of 
little  value  in  such  an  irregular  fight,  dismounted  and  assisted 
us  as  infantry.  Again  closing  up  with  the  enemy,  we  fought 
them  for  about  two  hours,  when  they  gave  way,  and  made  a 
running  fight  of  more  than  four  miles.  We  had  thus  driven 
them  before  us  into  Carthage,  where  they  made  a  third  stand  on 
the  edge  of  the  town,  and  from  behind  houses  or  barns  main- 
tained a  hot  fire  upon  our  advance.  After  some  time,  our 
numbers  began  to  increase,  and  we  determined  to  'drive  them 
from  the  town.  Collecting  all  our  strength,  we  again  succeeded, 
by  superior  shooting,  in  driving  them  before  us,  arid  in  our  pro- 
gress through  the  town  captured  many  hundred  stand  of  arms. 
Still  following  close  after  them,  we  chased  them  for  several 
miles  on  the  road  to  Holla,  and  continued  the  pursuit  until  long 


SO  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

after  sunset !  Their  killed  and  wounded  amounted  to  six  hun- 
dred men,  scattered  up  and  down  the  road  for  a  distance  of 
twelve  miles  or  more.  The  people  of  Carthage  rendered  us  all 
the  assistance  in  their  power,  furnished  accommodations  for  our 
wounded,  and  provided  us  with  refreshments,  of  which  we  were 
much  in  need. 

"This  victory  caused  great  rejoicing,  especially  among  the 
farmers,  whose  sons  now  came  forward  'to  help  fight  the 
Dutch,'  and  were  anxious  that  other  opportunities  might  soon 
offer  for  whipping  the  Abolitionists.  For  myself,  I  know  not 
where  all  this  is  to  end,  or  how  we  are  ever  to  succeed  in  Mis- 
souri, where  the  river,  the  cities,  and  the  railroads  are  held  by 
the  enemy.  In  other  parts  of  the  South  our  friends  have  rail- 
roads at  their  command,  and  manufactories  of  different  kinds  in 
their  midst,  to  { create '  supplies ;  but  here  we  have  no  commis- 
sary or  quartermaster,  no  doctor,  and  but  few  arms,  while  the 
enemy  have  abundance  of  all  things,  and  can  collect  any  num- 
ber of  men  -from  neighboring  States  to  hurl  against  our  little 
band  of  adventurers.  Nevertheless,  we  shall  prove  tough  sub- 
jects for  Lincoln's  minions  to  control,  for  we  are  hardened,  and 
know  the  country  so  thoroughly,  that  not  a  ford  or  mountain 
pass  but  is  well  marked  by  scores  of  trappers  and  hunters  in 
our  ranks/  We  know  that  all  the  weight  of  the  North  and 
North-West  will  be  thrown  against  us,  but  if  their  troops  are  to 
succeed  they  must  be  made  of  better  metal  than  that  we  lately 
encountered  at  Carthage. 

"  The  day  after  the  battle,  General  McCulloch,  of  Te'xas,  and 
•  General  Pearce,  of  Arkansas,  arrived  to  our  aid  with  about  two 
thousand  men.  It  appeared  that  our  forces  and  theirs  were 
advancing  to  the  same  place,  to  prevent  either  little  band  being 
overpowered  by  a  sudden  dash  of  the  enemy,  who  is  said  to 
frave  already  an  army  of  forty  thousand  men  in  the  State. 
These  are  not  Missourians,  but  a  mixed  crowd  of  Germans  and 
others  who  'have  volunteered  from  every  State,  under  German 
leaders.  There  are  not  five  hundred  Missourians  arrayed  against 
us,  and  St.  Louis  to-morrow,  together  with  all  the  river  cities, 
would  carry  any  election  in  favor  of  the  Southern  cause,  if  un- 
controlled by  Federal  bayonets.  More  of  this  soon. 

"Yours,  POLK." 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Warlike  Preparations  around  Manassas — Beauregard  and  other  Generals — Our  Po- 
sition at  Bull  Run — Advance  of  the  Enemy — A  Night  Surprise— Loss  to  the  Ene- 
my— General  Tyler  advances  to  force  a  Passage  at  Blackburn's  Ford — Battle  of 
Bull  Run,  July  eighteenth — The  Enemy  retire,  with  Loss — Anxiety  regarding 
Johnston's  Movements — Night  Adventures — Couage  of  an  English  Landowner — 
Our  Generals  forewarned  of  meditated  Movements.  \ 

FOR  several  days  I  was  unwell,  and  could  not  attend  to  duty, 
but  being  allowed  to  walk  about  at  leisure,  I  frequently  strolled 
down  to  the  Junction,  to  watch  the  progress  of  our  preparations. 
A  large  redoubt  about  half  a  mile  long,  and  a  quarter  wide, 
had  been  erected  since  my  previous  visit;  it  was  at  least  ten 
feet  high,  and  as  many  wide  on  the  top,  with  a  large  ditch  in 
front.  The  batteries  at  the  angles  were  semicircular,  with  em- 
brasures for  four  thirty-two-pounders,  the  mouths  of  which 
looked  like  black  bull-dogs,  protecting  the  road.  In  the  interi- 
or were  other  works  of  greater  or  less  magnitude,  connected  by 
covered  ways,  all  well  provided  with  ammunition  and  bomb- 
proof magazines.  There  were  several  smaller  batteries  placed 
in  front  on  elevations,  and  the  works  altogether  seemed  formi- 
dable enough  to  protect  the  depot  and  stores,  should  the  enemy 
penetrate  so  far. 

"But  who  are  our  generals?"  thought  I,  walking  about, 
and  meditating;  "our  men  are  as  brave  as  steel,  but  who  are 
to  lead  them?"  'Our  best  officers  are  from  the  old  army,  yet 
none  of  them  held  higher  rank  than  that  of  colonel.  E.  E.  Lee 
was  in  the  cavalry,  and  a  lieutenant-colonel ;  Joseph  E.  John- 
ston was  quartermaster-general,  and  ranked  as  lieutenant-colo- 
nel; Beauregard  had  been  major  of  engineers;  Evans,  Long- 
street,  and  others,  did  not  rank  higher  than  major  of  cavalry 
or  infantry,  and  had  seen  but  little  service,  except  on  the 
frontier  among  the  Indians;  Bragg  was  a  retired  captain  of 
artillery ;  T.  J.  Jackson  was  professor  of  mathematics  and  of 


32  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

tactics  in  the  University  of  Virginia ;  D.  HL  Hill  was  a  lawyer ; 
Polk,  an  Episcopal  bishop  in  Louisiana,  etc.  This  was  all  the 
talent  we  had,  and  much  of  it  was  only  said  to  be  "  promising." 
Genefal  Lee  was  at  Eichmond,  acting  as  Secretary  of  War; 
General  Cooper  was  there  also  as  adjutant-general ;  Bragg  and 
Polk  were  in  Tennessee,  and  Johnston  in  the  Valley ;  Beaure- 
gard  was  alone  at  Manassas,  having  Evans,  Ewell,  Longstreet, 
and  a  few  less  known  names,  as  subordinates  in  the  approaching 
struggle. 

Of  Beauregard  I  knew  little,  but  had  heard  much.  He  was 
continually  moving  about  from  place  to  place,  his  appearance 
and  escort  being  so  unostentatious  that  many  met  and  passed 
without  knowing  him.  It  was  his  custom  to  walk  in  the  gar- 
den of  the  cottage  where  his  headquarters  were  established  after 
meals,  smoking;  and  it  was  there  I  first  saw  him.  He  is  a 
small  man,  with  a  sallow  complexion,  a  heavy  black  moustache, 
and  closely  cut  hair.  With  the  left  hand  in  his  trowsers  pocket, 
a  cigar  in  his  mouth,  a  buttoned-up  coat,  and  small  cap,  he  is 
the  exact  type  of  a  French  engineer,  and  could  not  anywhere 
be  mistaken  for  a  civilian.  He  is  jaunty  in  his  gait,  dashing 
in  manner,  and  evidently  takes  delight  in  the  circumstance  of 
war.  It  must  be  confessed  his  modesty  is  equal  to  his  merit — 
he  is  not  imperious  or  overbearing,  bears  great  respect  for  his 
brother  officers  of  the  old  service,  and  is  never  seen  to  such 
advantage  as  when  standing  on  an  earthwork,  and  giving  orders, 
or  conversing  with  animated  gesture. 

It  was  now  the  fourteenth  of  July,  and  the  enemy  were  ad- 
vancing in  four  columns  upon  Fairfax  Court-House.  General 
Bonham's  brigade  of  South-Carolinians  held  the  post,  and  had 
fortified  it.  Having  made  every  disposition  for  the  fight,  of 
which  he  was  in  anxious  expectation,  it  was  much  to  his  chagrin 
and  disappointment  that  he  received  orders  to  retreat  when  the 
enemy  were  but  a  few  miles  distant.  With  much  cursing,  the 
brigade  hastily  fell  back  to  Centreville,  and  camped  on  the 
heights  on  the  evening  of  the  seventeenth,  the  enemy's  fires 
being  visible  about  a  mile  distant.  On  the  same  day  our  bri- 
gade received  orders  to  move  to  the  front,  and  we  quietly 
bivouacked  in  the  woods  on  the  banks  of  the  Bull  Eun  to 
guard  McLean's  Ford.  In  this  position  we  formed  the  right 


A  NIGHT  SURPKISE.  33 

centre,  and  as  our  troops  stood  in  excellent  repute  with  the 
army,  it  was  surmised  that  there  was  warm  work  in  store  for 
us — a  supposition  that  was  strongly  confirmed  when  not  less 
than  seven  guns  of  the  Washington  Corps  were  detailed  for  our 
support.  From  our  position  to  Blackburn's  Ford  was  half  a 
mile,  and  there  Longstreet  was  posted  with  a  strong  brigade. 
Ewell  was  to  our  right,  lower  down,  and  across  the*  Kun  at 
Union  Mills.  "While  we  stood  in  line  of  battle,  scouts  came  in, 
reporting  the  enemy's  approach  en  masse.  In  the  afternoon  an 
Alabama  regiment  came  in,  in  good  order,  Bringing  all  its  bag- 
gage. They  had  skirmished  with  the  enemy  for  several  miles, 
taking  advantage  of  every  turn  in  the  road,  and  firing  from  the 
woods  with  good  effect.  From  their  reports  we  learned  that 
all  the  outposts  had  made  good  their  retreat,  and  our  skirmish- 
ers had  done  so  much  damage,  that  the  enemy  were  extremely 
slow  and  cautious  in  their  movements. 

Towards  nightfall  four  companies  of  our  right  wing  crossed 
the  ford  and  occupied  a  small  valley  which  led  to  Centreville. 
Our  pickets  had  not  long  been  posted  in  the  timber,  when  a 
cavalry  scout  came  across  the  open,  and  reported  the  approach 
of  a  strong  force.  The  men  were  all  quietly  placed  and  ready 
for  business,  when  we  distinctly  saw  several  hundred  Federals 
placed  in  the  edge  of  the  wood  opposite,  and  could  hear  their 
conversation  occasionally.  One  of  our  negroes,  taking  advan- 
tage of  the  darkness,  went  over  to  the  enemy. 

During  the  night  the  lieutenant-colonel,  anxious  for  our 
safety,  attempted  to  reach  us.  Thanks  to  the  runaway,  the 
enemy  had  inclosed  us  on  three  sides,  the  fourth  being  a  range 
of  hills,  beyond  which  was  the  river.  Determined  to  extricate 
us,  the  colonel  swam  the  river,  and  before  the  morning  dawned 
we  had  safely  forded  it,  recrossed  again  lower  down,  and  flank- 
ed the  enemy.  The  sequel  was  exciting.  Believing  us  to  be 
surrounded,  the  Yankees  moved  cautiously  towards  the  spot, 
and  two  battalions  opened  close  volleys.  Discovering  their 
exact  whereabouts  by  the  flash,  we  all  took  accurate  aim,  and 
pouring  volley  after  volley  into  them  with  great  rapidity, 
scattered  their  force  in  all  directions.  Wet  to  the  skin,  but 
much  elated,  we  were  peremptorily  commanded  to  retire  across 
the  Eun  by  an  orderly  of  the  General's,  wrho  said  our  firing  had 
3 


34  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE   SOUTH. 

\ 

aroused  every  man  in  the  division.  As  we  approached  McLean's 
Ford  through  the  woods,  our  outposts,  horse  and  foot,  were  as 
thick  as  flies,  and  such  was  the  danger  of  being  fired  into,  that 
scouts  had  to  be  sent  in  advance  to  report  our  approach.  The 
ford  was  much  deepened,  and  the  river  had  risen.  We  crossed 
as  best  we  could  on  fallen  trees ;  and  as  the'  moon  rose,  plainly 
saw  our  horse  pickets  on  the  opposite  hill,  while  the  glare  of 
the  enemy's  camp  fires  around  Centreville  looked  like  thou- 
sands of  stars  flickering  against  the  dark  blue  sky. 

It  was  evident  that  the  enemy  were  perfectly  informed  of  the 
,'  topographical  peculiarities  of  the  region,  for  there  seemed  to  be 
little  hesitation  in  their  movements,  but  great  knowledge  of 
available  ground,  and  practicable  roads.  Their  extended  wings 
and  superior  force  led  many  to  suppose  that  it  was  their  real 
intention  to  surround  and  cut  us  off  from  all  escape.  The  men 
laughed  at  such  an  idea,  and,  to  use  their  own  language,  were 
"  spoiling  for  a  fight."  When  the  morning  of  the  eighteenth 
dawned^  our  regiments  formed  in  line,  and  waited  hour  after 
hour  for  the  attack,  which  was  now  certain. 

About  noon,  several  shots  in  the  direction  of  Blackburn's 
Ford  indicated  that  the  advance  was  exchanging  compliments 
with  our  pickets.  Shortly  afterwards,--!  was  sent  on  duty  up 
the  Kun,  and,  reaching  an  elevation,  saw  that  the  enemy  had 
crossed  above^  Blackburn's  Ford,  and  were  shelling  the  woods 
in  all  directions.  Presently,  several  of  our  light  batteries  came 
galloping  on  the  ground,  and  an  artillery  duel  immediately  en- 
sued, with  fluctuating  fortune ;  our  volunteers,  however,  seemed 
to  have  the  advantage,  for  they  worked  their  pieces  with  such 
rapidity,  that  the  Federal  regulars  retired,  and  allowed  their 
infantry  to  advance,  which  they  did  in  fine  style,  and  com- 
menced to  fan  out  in  skirmishing  order.  Ours  did  the  same, 
and  advanced.  Presently  the  skirmishers  on  both  side  fell  back, 
and  formed ;  then  both  sides  advanced  in  line. 

After  some  manoeuvring  and  firing,  eight  companies  on  our 
side  (they  were  the  First  Virginian  Volunteers)  deceived  their 
I  opponents  by  a  well-executed  ruse.  Having  first  advanced 
against  the  enemy,  they  suddenly  turned  and  fled,  at  quick-time, 
but  in  perfect  line.  With  cheers,  the  Yankees  pursued ;  but 
when  they  were  fairly  drawn  out  into  the  open  field,  the  major 


LOSS  TO  THE   FEDEKALS.  35 

in  command  gave  the  •word,  and  the  Virginians,  facing  about, 
fired  a  most  destructive  volley.  Astonished,  the  Yankees  stood 
aghast  at  their  loss ;  and  at  the  instant  were  charged  by  the 
Virginians,  who  threw  themselves,  with  an  Indian  yell,  upon 
the  foe.  Then  the  Federals  threw  away  their  arms  and  fled 
precipitately  to  the  river  bank :  the  artillery  duel  was  resumed 
with  great  fury,  shells  bursting  in  all  directions  ;  and  our  infan- 
try advanced  on  the  enemy's  flank,  while  distant  musketry 
could  be  plainly  heard  like  the  pattering  of  rain.  It  was  evi- 
dent the  enemy  could  not  effect  a  permanent  lodgment  on  the 
south  bank ;  and,  satisfied  with  the  trial,  they  were  retreating  to 
Centreville,  under  cover  of  their  numerous  artillery.  Advanq- 
ing  at  a  gallop  across  the  open  ground,  our  light  batteries  took 
up  a  position,  and  unlimbered  with  great  celerity  and  coolness 
under  fire,  and  so  great  was  their  precision  of  aim,  that  the 
enemy  retired  in  haste.  Our  infantry  pursued  for  some  short 
distance  across  the  river,  while  the  artillery  played  until  their 
shots  fell  into  the  Federal  camps  on  the  hill.  Had  a  small  force 
of  cavalry  been  at  hand,  we  might  have  inflicted  serious  loss 
and  captured  several  pieces.  As  it  was,  the  Federal  enemy  left 
many  of  their  dead  and  wounded  behind,  together  with  several 
hundred  stand  of  arms,  and  decamped  in  great  confusion. 

This  auspicious  opening  of  our  campaign  in  Virginia  spread 
great  joy  among  the  volunteers,  and  such  was  the  enthusiasm 
it  caused,  that  many  regiments  who,  in  ambush,  had  witnessed 
the  fight,  could  scarcely  be  controlled  by  their  officers :  the 
Seventh  Louisiana  obliged  their  commanders  to  move  forward 
into  the  open  ground,  to  participate  in  the  engagement,  but  they 
were  too  late,  for  the  "  game"  had  taken  wing  to  their  nest  on 
the  hills.  It  is  strange  to  remark  that  the  retreating  foe  shout- 
ed vociferously,  and  their  bands  struck  up  "  Yankee  Doodle" 
and  other  Northern  airs,  perhaps  in  joy  for  their  safe  retreat,  it 
being  impossible  to  imagine  any  other  reason.  At  the  critical 
moment,  General  Beauregard  rode  to  the  front,  sent  orders  to 
Colonel  Ferguson  of  his  staff  to  pursue  as  far  as  practicable,  and, 
galloping  past  our  position,  ascended  a  hill,  whence  he  could 
view  the  Federal  rout  in  detail.  "  Poor  Tyler,"  said  some  one 
in  the  group,  "  his  decapitation  has  come  early ;"  and,  true 
enough,  his  name  has  scarcely  ever  been  whispered  in  the  North 


36  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

since  that  fatal  eighteenth  day  of  July.  In  Northern  reports, 
indeed,  this  affair  is  lightly  spoken  of  as  "a  reconnoissance  that 
was  eminently  successful  in  every  way ;"  nevertheless,  we  posi- 
tively know  that  that  division  was  so  roughly  handled  and  dis- 
pirited that  it  was  withdrawn  to  the  rear,  and  did  not  fire  a  sin- 
gle shot  in  the  great  battle  fought  on  the  following  Sunday. 
The  escapes  of  Beauregard  that  afternoon  were  almost  miraculous. 
Shells  penetrated  his  head-quarters  in  a  dozen  places,  bursting 
in  the  kitchen,  and  blowing  the  cooking  apparatus  about  in  all 
directions.  The  terrified  black  cooks  struck  work,  and  could 
not  be  prevailed  upon  to  resume  their  labors  till  nightfall. 

Expecting  the  attack  to  be  resumed  with  great  fury  on  the 
morrow,  every  preparation  was  made  for  it,  strong  picket  guards 
being  posted  in  all  directions.  It  was  while  I  was  out  on  this 
duty,  far  away  to  the  front,  that  news  was  brought  of  Patter- 
son's retreat  from  the  Shenandoah  Yalley  into  Maryland,  his 
object  being  to  effect  a  junction  with  the  forces  of  General  Scott 
around  Washington  in  time  ioT  the  great  struggle.  At  the 
same  time,  telegrams  informed  us  of  Johnston's  retreat  to  Win- 
chester and  Strasburgh ;  and  he  himself  had  arrived  at  Manassas 
on  Friday  night,  (the  nineteenth,)  while  Jackson,  with  one  or 
two  brigades,  was  on  his  way  by  railroad.  The  rest  of  John- 
ston's army,  it  was  expected,  would  reach  us  before  Sunday,  and 
participate  in  the  general  engagement.  This  was  excellent 
news,  and  Johnston's  manoeuvres  raised  him  high  in  the  opin- 
ion of  the  men. 

During  the  night  we  picked  up  several  stragglers  from 
Scott's  army,  and  learned  from  them  that  McDowell  was  in 
chief  command,  and  had  seventy-five  thousand  men.  These 
prisoners  did  not  wish  to  be  sent  far  from  Manassas,  and  for 
peculiar  reasons.  "Don't  send  us  to  Richmond,"  they  said; 
"  our  army  will  be  in  Manassas  before  Sunday,  and  therefore 
we  wish  to  save  trouble.  Lincoln  and  Scott  both  promise  to 
be  in  Richmond  within  a  week,  and  as  the  thing  will  be  over 
so  soon,  we  don't  wish  to  be  sent  far  off,"  etc.  We  could  not 
help  laughing  at  the  simplicity  of  these  would-be  "conquer- 
ors," bu"t  allowed  them  to  continue  cherishing  their  fond  ex- 
pectations, resolved,  however,  to  make  breastworks  of  our 
bodies  rather  than  allow  these  Northern  hirelings  to  rule 
over  us: 


ADVANCE  OF  BEAUREGARD.  37 

On  Saturday  morning,  early,  we  were  provisioned  for  three 
days,  and  every  thing  seemed  to  denote  a  forward  movement  on 
our  part.  Some  sharp  skirmishing  occurred  on  our  right,  but 
towards  nine  A.M.  we  were  withdrawn  to  the  position  occupied 
on  Thursday.  I  did  not,  and  do  not,  believe  that  an  advance 
was  seriously  intended  by  Beauregard,  although  he  is  proverb- 
ially a  dashing  and  spirited  commander ;  for  the  enemy  were 
in  immense  force  on  high  ground,  and  superabundantly  sup- 
plied with  artillery.  This  partial  advance  was  more  probably 
a  "  feint,"  designed  to  make  the  enemy  believe  we  intended  to 
move  forward,  and  thus  engage  their  attention,  and  gain  more 
time  for  our  troops  in  the  Valley  to  join  us.  Up  to  Saturday 
noon,  not  more  than  five  thousand  had  arrived,  while,  could 
we  avert  the  impending  attack  until  Sunday,  it  was  thought  all 
would  have  come  up  from  that  and  other  directions,  making  an 
aggregate  of  fifteen  thousand  additional  to -our  strength.  The 
idea,  if  correct,  was  commendable ;  yet,  although  Johnston  had 
made  every  possible  preparation  for  the  transport  of  his  force, 
unforeseen  circumstances  completely  thwarted  the  design,  and 
up  to  one  P.M.,  none  had  arrived.  The  more  observant  were 
particularly  silent  —  things  did  not  exactly  please  them ;  yet 
these  were  the  men  to  speak  encouragingly  to  all,  and  plead 
unbounded,  confidence  in  the  ability  of  our  leaders. 

To  encourage  the  troops,  a  report  was  spread  that  aH  John- 
ston's force  had  safely  arrived,  together  with  several  thousand 
additional  from  different  quarters.  All  seemed  pleased;  and 
when  tattoo  sounded,  a  terrific  howl  rent  the  skies,  commenc- 
ing on  our  extreme  right,  and  gradually  extending  away  to  the 
left.  What  it  meant  none  could  tell ;  the  men  seemed  to  shout 
and  howl  from  an  overflow  of  spirits,  and  from  no  other  cause. 
Being  on  distant  picket  duty  at  the  time,  I  could  not  help  re- 
marking the  effect  these  Indian  yells  had  on  the  Yankees.  We 
had  crept  so  close  as  to  see  them  plainly  moving  about  and 
hear  their  conversation.  One  of  the  pickets  was  very  valorous 
in  his  speech  ;  he  was  willing  to  stake  any  thing  in  the  world 
thai  "the  rebels  would  evacuate  Manassas  before  morning! 
He  only  wished  he  came  across  half-a-dozen  'rebels !  He'd 
show  them  what  fighting  stuff  Union  troops  were  made  of — hed 
show  them  what  old  Massachusetts  could  do  I"  etc.  Deter- 
mined to  try  the  metal  of  this  pugnacious  individual,  two  of  us 


38  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE   SOUTH. 

crawled  through  the  underbrush,  Indian  fashion,  and  waiting 
an  opportunity,  seized  this  bombastic  New-Englander,  without 
the  shadow  of  resistance,  and,  having  gagged  and  tied  him,  led 
him  into  our  lines !  From  this  trembling  hero  we  learned  that 
the  greater  part  of  McDowell's  forces  were  on  the  move  across 
country  to  Stone  Bridge  or  the  vicinity,  and  that  the  fight 
would  certainly  begin  at  dawn ;  heavy  masses  being  sent  round 
•to  turn  our  left,  and  get  into  Manassas  by  the  flank.  When 
we  were  relieved  at  midnight,  we  communicated  our  fragments 
of  information  to  the  officer  of  the  guard,  and  returned  across 
Bull  Eun  to  our  regiment,  bivouacked  in  a  cedar  grove,  and  re- 
freshed ourselves. 

/  But  ere  I  attempt  to  give  details  of  the  important  engage- 
ment of  the.morrow,  I  must  be  permitted,  in  a  short  digression, 
to  speak  of  important  movements  that  were  taking  place  all 

v.night  long  within  the  Federal  lines.  Mr.  Thornton,  an  Eng- 
lish gentleman,  possessed  of  a  very  large  and  handsome  estate 
about  a  mile  northward  of  Centreville,  and,  being  of  Southern 
sentiments,  left  his  plantation  on  the  approach  of  McDowell's 
forces,  (on  Wednesday  night,)  and  fled  with  his  friends  across 
Sudley's  Ford  towards  Manassas — a  distance  of  some  seven  or 
more  miles.  Hearing  that  the  Yankees  invariably  destroyed 
all  property  found  deserted,  he  returned  on  Saturday  through 
the  woods  to  ascertain  the  fate  of  his  house,  barns,  and  stock. 
When  within  half  a  mile  of  his  premises,  he  observed  large 
columns  of  the  enemy  making  a  detour  through  the  country,  so 
as  to  flank  Sudley  Ford.  That  this  was  their  intention  he  had 
no  doubt,  for  it  was  far  beyond  our  left  wing,  and  the  stream 
there  only  ankle-deep.  He  attempted  to  retreat  at  nightfall, 
but  found  that  the  ford  was  hemmed  in  by  large  masses  of 
troops — far  greater  in  number  than  he  observed  congregated 
round  Stone  Bridge,  (our  extreme  left,)  about  two  miles  lower 
down  the  stream.  Determined  to  advise  our  generals  of  these 

-.movements,  he  made  several  attempts  to  pass  the  lines,  but 
failed  and  was  fired  at  repeatedly.  Penetrating  the  woods  by 
cow-paths  well  known  to  him,  (being  an  extensive  stock-raiser,) 
he  finally  succeeded  in  crossing  the  Run,  and  set  off  post-haste 
for  the  nearest  headquarters.  It  was  past  two  A.M.  on  Sunday 
when  Mr.  Thornton  ushered  himself  into  the  presence  of 
Colonel  Nathan  Evans,  who  commanded  a  brigade  near  Stone 


EVANS'S  MOVEMENT.  39 

Bridge.  Evans  listened  to  the  narration,  asked  important 
questions,  and,  arriving  at  conclusions,  maliciously  showed  his 
white  teeth  with  a  wicked  grin,  and,  ordering  coffee,  dressed 
himself.  Mounted  men  were  immediately  sent  to  Beauregard, 
yet  no  additional  force  arrived,  and  Evans  was  left  to  his  own 
resources.  Detaching  a  portion  of  his  brigade,  he  immediately 
moved  up  towards  Sudley  Ford,  #nd  reenforced  the  Fourth 
Alabama  Regiment  and  a  Mississippi  battalion  he  found  sta- 
tioned there. 


CHAPTER  Y. 

Battle  of  Manassas  Plains,  Sunday,  July  twenty-first  —  Disposition  of  the  Southern 
Forces  —  Plans  of  the  Enemy  —  The  main  Battle  on  our  Left  —  Struggle  at  Sudley 
Ford  and  Stone  Bridge  —  Attack  of  Louisiana  Irish  —  Critical  Situation  of  our 
Forces  —  Stonewall  Jacjsson  —  Preparations  for  a  final  Advance  on  both  Sides  — 
Arrival  of  Johnston's  Reenforcements  —  Total  Bout  of  the  Enemy. 


various  causes,  I  was  destined  to  enjoy  but  little  sleep, 
and  was  on  the  move  nearly  all  night.  The  great  lights  around 
Centreville  seemed  to*  die  out  about  midnight,  but  then  arose  a 
low  murmuring  noise,  as  if  large  bodies  of  men  had  thus  early 
risen,  and  were  marching  through  country  west  of  the  river. 
Soon  afterwards,  being  sent  to  the  outposts,  my  ear  quickly  de- 
tected heavy  masses  moving  along  the  road  towards  Stone 
Bridge,  and  I  could  faintly  hear  the  shouts  of  teamsters  and  ar- 
tillery drivers  whipping  up  their  horses.  The  bumping  of  heavy 
wagons  and  artillery  was  distinctly  audible,  while  now  and  then 
the  command  could  be  faintly  heard  in  the  still  night  —  "Atten- 
tion, battalion  1  —  forward,  march  !"  This  continued  passage  of 
men  along  our  front  gave  me  very  melancholy  forebodings  re- 
garding the  enemy's  force,  more  especially  as  serious  fears  were 
entertained  regarding  the  remainder  of  Johnston's  command  in 
the  Shenandoah,  for  it  was  now  nearly  three  A.M.,  and  still  no 
troops  had  arrived  ! 

Could  it  be  that  the  enemy  had  sent  a  heavy  force,  torn  up 
the  track,  and  seized  the  "  Gap  "  ?  None  could  tell  ;  few  dared 
speak  on  the  subject  ;  but  those  who  knew  our  weakness,  and 
the  necessity  for  the  speedy  arrival  of  reenforcements,  whispered 
their  fears  of  the  deadly  conflict  that  would  be  surely  ushered  in 
at  dawn.  Again  and  again  cocks  on  neighboring  farms  caroll- 
ed forth  the  hour.  At  last  the  first  grey  streaks  of  morning  ap- 
peared in  the  sky,  with  the  pure  pale  moon  slowly  descending 
below  the  distant  woods.  The  waters  of  the  river  audibly  rip- 


MOKNING  OF  THE  BATTLE.  41 

pled  past  —  otherwise,  not  a  sound  was  heard  save  the  quick, 
sharp  challenge,  "  Halt! — who  goes  there?" 

By  entering  into  conversation  with  a  well-informed  comrade, 
I  ascertained  the  precise  position  and  number  of  our  forces. 
Ewell's  brigade  constituted  our  extreme  right,  and  was  across 
Bull  Eun,  posted  at  Union  Mills ;  D.  E.  Jones's  brigade  came 
next,  being  south  of  the  river,  at  McLean's  (or  Wolf)  Ford ; 
Longstreet's  brigade  was  at  Blackburn's  Ford ;  Bonham's  bri- 
gade at  Mitchell's  Ford ;  Philip  St.  George  Cocke's  brigade  was 
posted  at  Ball's  Ford,  three  miles  farther  up  stream ;  while  Colo- 
nel Nathan  Evans,  with  two  regiments,  guarded  Stone  Bridge — 
making  a  distance  of  nine  miles  from  the  right  to  our  extreme 
left.  There  were  several  other  fords  farther  up,  namely,  the  Eed 
House  Ford,  and  still  higher,  Sudley  Ford,  etc. ;  but  Stone 
Bridge  was  generally  considered  our  extreme  left.  The  right 
of  our  line  was  much  stronger  than  the  left  in  position  and  num- 
bers, even  without  considering  the  two  reserve  brigades  of 
Holmes  and  Early,  which  were  stationed  with  the  former  for 
emergencies. 

At  which  of  these  points  the  meditated  blow  might  fall  none 
could  foresee.  Scott  was  said  to  be  a  crafty  general,  and  there 
can  be  no  doubt  that  he  taxed  his  little  genius  rather  heavily  on 
this  occasion  to  assist  McDowell,  who,  as  our  prisoners  assured  us, 
held  the  chief  command.  I  had  scarcely  returned  to  camp,  about 
five  A.M.,  when  all  were  afoot  and  ready  for  moving.  The  sun 
had  risen  in  more  than  usual  splendor,  and  as  I  stood  on  a  hill 
across  McLean's  Ford,  gazing  upon  the  distant  landscape,  the  ef- 
fect was  beautiful.  To  our  right  and  eastward,  on  the  heights 
of  Centreville,  Porter's  artillery  was  deliberately  shelling  Black- 
burn's and  McLean's  Fords,  the  smoke,  in  the  most  beautiful  and 
fantastically  formed  volumes,  curling  away  from  the  cannon's 
mouth.  Westward,  rose  the  dark  outline  of  the  Blue  Eidge, 
which  inclosed,  as  in  an  amphitheatre,  the  woods  and  hollows, 
the  streams  and  open  spaces  of  Manassas  Plains.  Smoke,  as- 
cending from  the  woods  on  both  sides  of  the  stream  of  Bull  Eun, 
eight  miles  away  in  the  direction  of  Stone  Bridge,  told  that  the 
fight  had  commenced  there,  while  the  frequent  reports  of  artil- 
lery proved  that  both  sides  were  becoming  angry,  and  replying 
sharply  and  vindictively  to  each  other.  Occasional  sounds  of 
musketry  fire,  fronting  Blackburn's  and  Mitchell's  Fords,  indi- 


42  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE   SOUTH. 

cated  that  Longstreet's  and  Bonham's  brigades  at  the  centre 
were  engaged  in  heavy  skirmishes,  though  the  enemy  seemed 
disinclined  to  attempt  any  serious  assault  upon  those  positions. 

As  soon  as  the  first  guns  disturbed  the  peace  of  this  calm  and 
beautiful  Sabbath  morning,  Johnston  and  Beauregard  had  gal- 
loped forward,  and  taken  up  a  position  on  a  hill  to  the  left  and 
rear  of  Bonham  at  Mitchell's  Ford,  where  a  full  view  was  ob- 
tained of  the  entire  line  of  Bull  Eun.  The  enemy  saw  the  group 
of  officers,  and  shell  fell  thick  in  the  vicinity.  These  demon- 
strations met  with  no  response :  our  generals-in-chief  were  in- 
tently watching  the  development  of  McDowell's  movements,  and 
seemed  undecided  as  to  his  real  point  of  attack.  They  had  not 
remained  long  searching  the  plain  with  their  glasses,  when  an 
increasing  volume  of  smoke  four  miles  to  the  left  revealed  the 
fact  that  the  Federals  were  in  force  at  that  point.  This  was  pre- 
sently confirmed  by  the  arrival  of  orderlies,  who  reported  that 
the  fire  was  brisk  at  Stone  Bridge ;  that  we  held  our  own  there, 
but  that  a  strong  column  under  Colonel  Hunter  had  successfully 
crossed  higher  up  at  Sudley  Ford,  driven  Evans  back,  and  was 
slowly  progressing,  at  right  angles  to  the  river,  towards  the  Eed 
House. 

Colonel  Evans  having  been  forewarned  of  this  movement,  as 
we  have  elsewhere  shown,  had  posted  about  one  thousand  men 
and  two  light  pieces  near  the  intersection  of  the  Warrenton 
Turnpike  and  Sudley  Eoad.  This  handful  of  troops  resisted 
the  advance  of  Hunter,  until  they  were  compelled  by  superior 
numbers  to  retire  across  the  Ford ;  and  this  being  effected,  they 
took  up  another  position  in  the  woods.  The  movement  was 
misunderstood  by  the  enemy,  who,  believing  our  force  to  be 
routed,  halted  at  the  Ford  some  little  time  to  refresh  themselves 
and  fill  their  canteens.  They^then  crossed  in  admirable  order, 
and  had  advanced  about  a  mile,  when  our  two  guns  opened  fire 
upon  them,  and  blocked  up  the  lane  with  dead.  The  enemy 
now  hurried  forward  their  artillery,  and,  soon  overpowering 
ours,  advanced  again,  meeting  with  a  desperate  resistance  from 
Evans's  heroes,  whose  precision  of  fire  inflicted  severe  loss  on 
the  masses  opposed  to  them. 

While  these  events  were  progressing  at  Sudley  Ford,  othef 
parts  of  the  field  began  to  develop  more  fully  the  enemy's  plan 
of  battle.  The  reader  must  picture  to  himself  Wheat's  immor- 


PLAN  OF  THE  BATTLE.  43 

tal  battalion  (the  Louisiana)  and  a  few  other  troops  still  engaged 
with  Tyler's  (First)  division  of  three  brigades  at  Stone  Bridge,* 
while  Evans  at  Sudley  Ford  is  slowly  retiring  before  the  four 
brigades  of  Hunter.  Then  Colonel  Heintzelman,  with  the  Second 
division,  is  seen  moving  towards  Red  House  Ford  between  these 
two  valiant  leaders ;  and  joining  forces  with  Hunter,  he  pro- 
ceeds— still  at  right  angles  with  the  river — to  Stone  Bridge,  his 
object  being  to  disperse  the  little  force  under  Major  Wheat,  and 
allow  Tyler's  division  to  cross.  Heintzelman  was,  in  some  de- 
gree, baffled  and  held  in  check.  But  arriving  at  and  crossing 
the  ford,  he  discovered  one  of  our  regiments  (Fourth  Alabama) 
drawn  up  to  receive  him.  Recalling  his  skirmishers,  Heintzel- 
man cheered  on  the  New- York  "  Fire  Zouaves"  (fifteen  hundred 
strong)  leading  gallantly  himself.  Our  Alabamians  allow  them 
to  approach  within  fifty  yards,  when  they  deliver  a  volley  from 
eight  hundred  Mississippi  rifles,  and  scatter  the  Zouaves  beyond 
all  recall.  They  are  reformed,  harangued,  reminded  of  their 
vows,  their  banners  are  shaken  out,  and  cheers  given  for  the 
Union — but  "  advance  "  they  will  not.  The  morale  of  these 
braves  was  destroyed  :  they  were  afterwards  seen  in  companies, 
or  small  detachments,  but  never  as  a  regiment. 

Disgusted  with  their  behavior,  Heintzelman  turned  in  his 
saddle,  and  observing  the  gallant  appearance  of  the  Fourteenth 
Brooklyn  (New- York}  Zouaves,  placed  himself  at  their  head? 
and  again  advanced ;  but  again  the  calm  line  of  Alabamians 

*  General  Thomas  W.  Sherman  (brigadier  of  volunteers,  in  Tyler's  division)  is  a 
fine,  well-made  man,  six  feet  high,  erect,  moderately  stout,  precise  in  manner,  but 
quick  and  voluble  in  discourse,  fair  complexion,  and  closely  shaven.  He  was  Cap- 
tain First  United  States  Artillery,  and  served  during  the  Mexican  war.  His  battery 
was  well-known  for  its  efficiency  and  drill,  and  was  generally  called  "  Sherman's 
battery."  When  he  retired  from  the  United  States  service  he  ranked  as  major. 
He  lived  in  Louisiana  for  some  time,  and  conducted  a  semi-military  academy  at 
Alexandria  in  that  State,  in  which  occupation  he  realized  much  money.  When  war 
seemed  inevitable  between  the  North  and  South,  he  gave  up  his  academy,  and 
offered  his  services  to  the  Lincoln  Government,  to  assist  in  killing  the  pupils  who 
gave  him  bread.  He  was  appointed  Brigadier-General  of  volunteers,  and  made  him- 
self conspicuous  at  Manassas.  In  the  old  army  he  enjoyed  great  reputation  as  au 
artillerist,  but  now  seems  to  have  sunk  into  oblivion,  or  all  talent  has  departed,  for 
we  never  hear  of  him  as  distinguishing  himself.  His  once  famous  battery,  subse- 
quent to  his  resignation,  was  commanded  toy  Captain  James  B.  Ricketts,  of  Non- 
York,  who  greatly  distinguished  himself  at  Manassas,  and  quite  eclipsed  the  fame 
of  Sherman  as  an  artillery  officer. 


44:  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

delivered  a  fatal  volley,  and  again  the  crack  Federal  troops 
broke  and  fled.  A  Massachusetts  regiment  was  next  brought 
up  to  clear  the  way,  but  this,  and  two  other  regiments  which 
followed  it,  quailed  before  the  murderous  volleys  of  the 
"  Fourth."  The  only  regiment  that  did  stand  two  volleys,  was 
a  Michigan,  or  Western  regiment.  Numbers,  however,  began 
to  tell,  and  Bee,  who  commanded  the  Alabamians  and  Missis- 
sipians,  slowly  fell  back.  By  this  time,  it  will  be  seen,  the 
enemy  had  three  full  divisions  and  many  guns  across  the 
stream,  and  the  conflict  began  to  assume  a  sanguinary  aspect. 
To  oppose  their  advance  we  had  two  light  guns  and  one  regi- 
ment under  Evans,  Seventh  and  Eighth  Georgia  under  Bartow, 
Fourth  Alabama,  Second,  and  two  companies  of  the  Eleventh 
Mississippi,  and  four  guns  of  Imboden's  battery  under  Bee — 
a  total  of  six  guns  and  five  regiments  against  fifteen  thousand 
(including  "regulars"  and  " marines ")  and  twenty  pieces  of 
rifled  artillery.  Such  being  the  disparity  of  numbers,  the  fight 
was  maintained  with  desperation  on  our  side.  The  enemy's 
line,  at  right  angles  with  the  river,  was  increasing  in  length 
every  moment ;  their  design,  so  far  as  we  could  judge,  was  to 
cut  us  off  from  Manassas,  and  entirely  surround  our  small  but 
heroic  band.  To  add  to  our  misfortune  two  small  brigades  had 
been  detached  from  the  division  in  front  of  Stone  Bridge,  and, 
finding  a  fordable  place,  had"  crossed  under  Sherman  and 
Keyes,-  and  appeared  forming  to  our  right  and  rear,  leaving 
sufficient  force  at  the  bridge  to  occupy  our  small  force  under 
Major  "Wheat.  *' 

On  the  left  the  fight  up  to  this  time  had  been  desperate. 
The  attack  on  Hunter's  column  at  Sudley  Ford  Was  made  by 
Evans  with  a  full  consciousness  of  the  disparity  of  force,  and 
he  expected  no  more  success  than  consisted  in  delaying  the 
movements  of  the  enemy ;  yet  such  was  the  ardor  of  his  men 
and  their  precision  of  fire,  that  he  accomplished  wonders. 
They  were  so  exhausted,  however,  with  continually  advancing 
to  the  attack,  and  were  so  much  weakened  in  numbers,  that  at 
last  the  men  for  the  most  part  were  firing  from  the  woods  in 
skirmishing  order,  and,  being  excellent  marksman,  inflicted 
much  loss.  It  was  impossible  -at  this  times  to  concentrate  them 
at  any  one  point,  for  each  was  fighting  in  his  own  style — 
"  bushwhacking,"  as  it  is  called.  Yet  they  did  not  flinch,  but 


CHARGE  OF  THE   LOUISIANA  IRISH.  45 

continued  an  incessant  fusilade  upon  the  enemy,  who  seemed 
to  fear  that  the  attack  was  from  our  main  body.  In  that  con- 
viction, they  moved  but  slowly  down  towards  the  Bed  House 
Ford,  where  Bee's  Mississippians  and  Bartow's  Alabamians  were 
struggling  against  the  craftiness  and  numbers  of  Colonel  Heint- 
zelman. 

I  have  already  recorded  how  five  of  their  best  regiments 
were  successively  beaten  back  by  a  single  one  of  ours,  or 
rather  parts  of  two.  Bee  led  his  men  admirably.  Again  and 
again  he  formed  and  reformed  his  little  band,  encouraging  all 
with  words  of  kindness  and  confidence.  He  frequently  assailed 
overwhelming  numbers  to  prevent  them  securing  the  passage 
of  Stone  Bridge,  beyond  which  heavy  divisions  were  waiting 
to  cross.  He  was  only  relieved  when  Jackson's  Brigade  and 
Hampton's  Legion  were  brought  up  ;  then  joining  with  Evans, 
their  combined  forces  formed  a  longer  and  better  line,  and 
repelled  the  enemy  with  more  ease,  although  the  strength  and 
precision  of  the  opposing  artillery  made  fearful  havoc. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  Major  Wheat's  Louisiana  bat- 
talion were  left  sole  defenders  of  the  bridge  itself.  Although 
few  in  number,  these  heroic  soldiers  sustained  every  shock  with 
unwavering  courage,  and  on  more  than  one  occasion  dropped 
their  rifles,  and  rushed  among  the  enemy  with  long  bowie- 
knives.  But  when  it  was  kno1  wn  that  Hunter  had  crossed  at 
Sudley  Ford,  and  formed  a  junction  with  Heintzelman  at  Red 
House  Ford,  Sherman's  and  Keyes's  brigades  left  the  force  at 
Stone  Bridge,  and  crossed  a  few  hundred  yards  higher  up,  as 
related  above  ;  and  Wheat  was  sent  to  prevent  their  junction 
with  the  other  forces  on  the  same  side.  As  the  majority  of 
Wheat's  command  were  Louisiana  Irish,  they  robbed  the  dead 
of  their  whisky,  and  were  in  high  spirits  when  ordered  to  assail 
Sherman  and  Keyes.  They  could  not  attempt  this  alone,  but, 
receiving  reenforcements,  wrought  such  havoc  among  the 
enemy  that  their  progress  was  extremely  slow  and  uncertain. 
The  fighting  was  irregular.  Now,  the  battalion  would  keep 
up  a  lively  fire  from  the  woods,  creep  through  the  brush,  make 
a  sudden  charge,  upset  a  cannon  or  two  and  retire.  Again, 
they  would  maintain  a  deathlike  silence  until  the  foe  were  not 
more  than  fifty  paces  off;  then  delivering  a  withering  volley, 


46  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

they  would(  dash,  forward  with  unearthly  yells,  and  as  they 
drew  their  knives  and  rushed  to  close  quarters,  the  Yankees 
screamed  with  horror. 

It  is  only  fair  to  state  that  the  Federal  Colonels  Hunter, 
Heintzelman,  and  others,  nobly  did  their  duty,  and  handled 
their  troops  with  great  precision  and  judgment.  Scott's  idea 
of  attracting  our  attention  on  the  right,  and  at  Stone  Bridge, 
while  columns  were  marching  through  the  woods  to  cross  at 
Sudley  and  Red  House  Fords,  was  an  excellent  one,  and  it  was 
carried  out  to  the  letter  by  his  scientific  subordinates.  Had 
not  our  small  force  made  a  terrible  resistance,  it  was  more  than 
possible  the  day  would  have  proved  disastrous  to  us,  for  our 
line  was  scattered  over  a  distance  of  more  than  eight  miles  up 
and  down  the  river,  and  our  weakest  point  had  been  selected 
for  the  assault. 

The  events  I  have  attempted  to  describe  occupied  the  time 
till  midday.  There  could  be  no  longer  a  doubt  of  the  enemy's 
real  plan ;  "and  our  small  force  under  Bee  gradually  fell  back 
toward  the  Robinson  House,  against  vast  odds,  suffering  severely 
at  every  yard.  Johnston  and  Beauregard  furiously  galloped  to 
the  left,  to  retrieve  our  failing  fortunes.  Hampton's  Legion  and 
Jackson's  Virginia  Brigade  had  already  arrived  to  succor  Bee, 
and  were  ordered  to  lie  down  behind  a  bit  of  rising  ground,  so 
as  to  form  the  centre  of  a  new  line  when  Bee  retreated  thus  far. 
Riding  up  to  Jackson,  who,  on  a  mound,  sat  his  horse  like  a 
statue,  viewing  the  whole  scene,  Bee  said :  "  General,  they  are 
beating  us  back — we're  obliged  to  give  ground."  "Well,  then, 
sir,"  was  the  dry,  calm  reply,  "  we  will  give  them  the  bayonet  I" 
Riding  hurriedly  back  to  his  men,  Bee  cheered  them  with  en- 
couraging words,  saying:  " Look  at  Jackson  yonder,  boys! — 
he  is  standing  like  a  stonewall !" 

Finding  that  the  enemy  still  assailed  our  left  with  overwhelm- 
ing numbers  and  fury,  General  Beauregard  conceived  the  idea 
of  a  forward  movement  on  the  right,  hoping  that  it  might  serve 
as  a  diversion.  Ewell  and  Jones  were  ordered  to  move  into 
position  and  attack.  The  latter  general  marched  three  miles, 
and  took  up  his  line  within  half  a  mile  of  the  enemy ;  but  the 
extreme  right  failed  to  fire,  and  after  remaining  three  hours, 
Jones  retired  south  of  the  Run.  It  has  been  said  that  Ewell 


CRITICAL  SITUATION.  47 

never  received  these  orders.  Be  this  as  it  may,  Ewell,  Jones, 
and  Longstreet  remained  idle  •with  their  magnificent  commands, 
while  the  roar  of  battle  to  the  left  was  increasing  every  moment. 
In  the  distance  shot  and  shell  were  ploughing  up  the  ground 
Towards  Manassas  the  dark  Federal  line  was  approaching 
slowly,  like  an  immense  serpent  moving  through  the  fields, 
while  the  numerous  artillery  of  the  enemy  belched  forth  grape 
and  shell  upon  our  weak  and  small  line. 

The  situation  was  now  exceedingly  critical,  but  reenforce- 
mcnts  were  rapidly  approaching  from  Bonham's  and  Long- 
street's  brigades  on  the  right,  together  with  several  pieces  of 
artillery  and  some  cavalry.  Seizing  an  opportune,  moment, 
General  Beauregard  led  on  one  wing,  while  Johnston,  grasping 
the  colors  of  the  Fourth  Alabama,  rode  to  the  front ;  and  with 
a  wild  yell  our  men  advanced  again,  and  quickly  recovered  lost 
ground,  having  to  move  forward  under  showers  of  shell  and 
small  shot  that  assailed  them  at  every  step.  Brilliant  as  this 
charge  was,  the  enemy,  it  was  plain,  were  overpowering  us  by 
weight  of  numbers.  They  had  seized  a  plateau  on  which  stood 
two  wooden  houses  (Widow  Henry's,  and  the  free  negro  Kobin- 
son's)  and  had  placed  thereon  Eicketts's  and  Griflm's  celebrated 
batteries. 

General  Beauregard,  determined  to  repossess  himself  of  the 
position,  formed  his  line  for  an  assault,  and  his  right  rushed  to 
the  charge,  while  our  centre,  under  Jackson,  pierced  theirs- 
The  plateau  was  won,  together  with  several  guns,  but  the  enemy 
some  time  afterwards  threw  forward  a  heavy  force  of  infantry 
and  dispossessed  us  again. 

It  was  now  about  two  P.M.,  and  the  battle  still  raged  furiously 
on  the  left,  though  nothing,  save  skirmishing  and  an  occasional 
discharge  of  ordnance,  occurred  on  our  right.  The  brigades  of 
Holmes  and  Early  were  ordered  up,  and  the  first  arrived  oppor- 
tunely at  the  moment  when  our  generals  were  preparing  for 
another  advance :  at  the  same  time,  additional  pieces  ©f  artillery 
came  galloping  up,  by  their  eagerness  for  action  and  cheerful- 
ness inspiriting  all  with  bright  hopes  for  the  future.  At  the 
word  to  charge,  our  men  seemed  to  have  received  new  life,  and 
advanced  with  loud  shouts  to  drive  the  enemy  from  the  plateau- 
Our  artillery  replied  admirably,  but  the  enemy  were  more  than 
a  match  for  us,  and  inflicted  much  loss.  Our  infantry,  however, 


48  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

nothing  daunted  by  the'  forces  massed  on  the  hill,  resolutely 
attacked  them,  and  after  a  stubborn  and  sanguinary  combat  the 
plateau,  with  the  enemy's  guns  and  ammunition,  was  again  in 
our  possession. 

Pursuing  the  foe  through  the  fields,  our  men  never  seemed 
weary  of  slaughter,  although  their  own  ranks  were  perceptibly 
thinning.  It  was  while  driving  the  enemy  through  the  "  Open  " 
that  Bee  and  Bartow,  riding  in  advance  of  their  commands,  fell 
mortally  wounded.  The  latter,  with  colors  in  hand,  survived  a 
few  moments,  and,  smiling  on  his  comrades,  said :  "  They  have 
killed  me  boys ;  but  never  give  up  the  fight."  The  enemy  were 
puzzled  and  astounded  by  the  change  which  two  hours  had  pro- 
duced in  the  tide  of  fortune  ;  as  for.  ourselves,  though  still  infe- 
rior in  numbers,  we  had  now  no  doubt  of  success :  our  reenforce- 
ments  were  rapidly  arriving  from  the  right,  steadily  our  advance 
•vras  continued  through  fields  and  woods,  over  hundreds  of 
dead — friends  and  foes. 

Such  was  the  state  of  the  battle,  when,  from  appearances  in 
the  distance,  it  became  evident  that  the  enemy  were  planning 
and  arranging  some  great  final  stroke  for  our  overthrow.  But 
while  they  rallied  their  broken  line,  under  shelter  of  fresh  bri- 
gades, and  prepared  for  the  renewal  of  the  struggle,  signals  from 
the  hills  warned  General  Beauregard  to  "  look  out  for  enemy's 
advance  on  the  left."  I  must  here  remind  the  reader  that  the 
remainder  of  Johnston's  army  had  been  anxiously  expected  from 
the  Shenandoah  Yalley  during  the  whole  of  the  previous  night ; 
and  it  was  these  troops— Kirby  Smith's  brigade — that  had  been 
mistaken  for  the  enemy.  As  the  train  approached  Manassas^ 
Smith  knew  by  the  firing  that  a  great  struggle  was  in  progress, 
and,  having  stopped  the  engine,  he  formed  his  men,  and  ad- 
vanced through  the  fields.  Every  countenance  was  brightened 
by  the  intelligence  of  his  arrival  at  this  juncture.  "  Johnston's 
men  have  come  at  last  I"  was  the  remark  from  mouth  to  mouth, 
and  that  commander  instantly  made  dispositions  for  an  enlarge, 
ment  of  our  line.  While  this  was  going  on,  Early's  brigade 
also  came  up  from  the  right,  (for  though  the  message,  as  I  have 
before  stated,  was  sent  at  noon,  it  was  not  received  until  past 
two,)  and  was  instantly  sent  to  our  extreme  left,  while  Kirby 
Smith  was  ordered  to  assail  the  enemy's  right  and  rear,  which 
his  advance  through  the  fields  enabled  him  to  do  easily.  Other 


VICTORY  OP   THE  CONFEDERATES.  49 

reenforcements  were  coming  from  Bonham,  Cocke,  and  Long, 
street,  and  as  they  arrived  were  placed  in  position  for  a  general 
advance.  . 

On  the  side  of  the  enemy.  Colonels  Hunter,  Heintzelman, 
Sherman,  Burnside,  Keyes,  and  others,  saw  the  storm  ap- 
proaching, and  made  every  effort  to  meet  it  They  had 
re-formed  their  line,  and  endeavored  to  outflank  our  left ;  but 
at  the  very  moment  when  Major  Elzey  with  Kirby  Smith's 
brigade  of  seventeen  hundred  men  and  four  guns,  and 
Early's  brigade,  (Seventeenth  Virginia,  Seventh  Louisiana,  and 
Thirteenth  Mississippi,)  attacked  them  on  the  right  flank  and 
rear,  Beauregard  and  Johnston,  also,  threw  forward  their  whole 
line,  and  with  loud  shouts  advanced  to  the  attack;  twenty 
pieces  of  cannon  at  the  same  time  shook  the  earth  with  their 
deafening  roar.  Among  other  regiments  the  following  formed 
this  last  grand  charge,  namely :  Eleventh,  Second,  and  Thirteenth 
Mississippi ;  Seventh  and  Eighth  Georgia  ;  Seventh  Louisiana ; 
Sixth  North- Carolina ;  Fourth  Alabama ;  Tenth,  Seventeenth, 
Fourth,  Fifth,  Twenty-seventh,  Forty-third,  Eighteenth,  and 
Twenty-eighth  Virginia ;  Stuart's  Cavalry,  and  Hampton's 
Legion ;  Fourth,  Second,  and  Eighth  South-Carolina ;  Third 
Tennessee  ;  First  Maryland,  etc. 

When  the  order  was  given  to  advance,  couriers  were  sent  to 
our  right,  with  instructions  for  Longstreet,  Jones,  and  Ewell  to 
make  a  strong  demonstration  towards  Centreville.  The  roar 
of  cannon  and  musketry  on  the  left  was  terrible;  clouds  of 
smoke  and  dust  hung  over  the  entire  plain ;  high  above  the 
din  of  the  strife  might  be  heard  one  of  the  enemy's  heavy 
pieces,  a  thirty-two-pounder,,  called  "Long  Tom."  Simulta- 
neously attacked  on  all  sides,  and  with  unexampled  fury,  the 
foe  made  a  determined  resistance  on  a  rising  ground  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Chinn's  House,  and  it  looked  like  an  island  round 
which  flames  were  gathering  in  all  directions.  Appalled  by 
the  unexpected  change  of  fortune,  the  Federal  commanders 
knew  not  what  to  do.  It  was  now  past  three  in  the  afternoon^ 
yet  no  reenforcements  were  at  hand,  and  their  cannon  were 
being  captured  at  every  turn.  In  vain  they  rallied  their  forces  > 
no  sooner  were  they  formed  than  our  troops  broke  them  again? 
imtil  at  last  their  line,  thousands  in  number,  sought  safety  in 


\ 
50  '  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

sudden  flight.  The  landscape  was  darkened  by  their  fugitive 
niasses  flying  in  all  directions,  and  pursued  by  the  half-wild 
victors. 

The  pursuit  was  the  business  of  Stuart's  cavalry,  aided  by 
artillery,  and  the  scene  that  ensued  was  awful  and  heartrending. 
Ten  miles  from  Centreville  Heights,  these  fugitive  thousands 
rushed  across  Bull  Eun  by  the  various  fords,  and  horse,  foot, 
artillery,  wagons,  and  ambulances  were  entangled  in  inextrica- 
ble confusion ;'  the  roads  were  blocked  up,  reenforcements 
arriving  were  seized  with  a  panic,  and  every  one  rushed  to- 
wards Centreville  by  the  roads,  through  the  woods ,  and  fields. 
To  add  to  their  horror,  Jones's  brigade  on  the  right,  without 
waiting  for  Ewell  or  Longstreet,  attacked  their  reserves  on 
Centrevjlle,  and  turned  what  would  have  been  an  orderly  re- 
treat into  a  disastrous  rout.  Thousands  rushing  towards  Cen- 
treville for  safety,  only  arrived  in  time  to  learn  that  our  troops 
were  advancing  on  the  village,  and  that  Blenker's  and  other 
reserve  corps,  unable  to  withstand  the  pressure,  were  rushing 
towards  Washington.  For  miles  around  clouds  of  smoke  and 
dust  obscured  the  landscape,  while  the  rattle  of  musketry  and 
the  cheers  of  Jones's  brigade,  as  they,  rushing  into  the  deserted 
camps,  and  seizing  upon  the  artillery,  only  added  additional 
fears  to  the  horror-stricken  multitude.  Kemper's  and  Beck- 
ham's  batteries,  on  our  left,  also  pursued  the  enemy,  and  kept 
up  such  a  destructive  fire  upon  them,  that  at  many  points  of 
thefroad,  wagons,  artillery,  caissons,  ambulances,  and  carriages 
were  jammed  in  masses,  and  thus  barricaded  the  roads.  At 
these  points  the  fugitives  took  to  the  fields  and  woods,  throwing 
away  their  arms  and  accoutrements,  and  whatever  might  impede 
flight.  Even  the  sick  and  wounded  were  dragged  from  ambu- 
lances, and  their  places  taken  by  red-legged  Zouaves ;  ambu- 
lance, wagon,  and  artillery  horses  had  their  traces  cut,  and 
were  mounted  by  officers  of  every  grade,  from  captains  to 
generals  and  governors  of  States.  Such  a  roar,  confusion,  and 
dust  it  is  impossible  to  imagine.  Every  road  leading  from  Ma- 
nassas  was  crowded  by  the  fugitives — soldiers  in  every  style  of 
costume,  ladies,  members  of  Congress,  governors  of  States, 
editors,  "  special  correspondents,"  "  own  correspondents, "  tele- 
graph operators,  surgeons,  paymasters,  parsons — all  were  run- 


VICTORY  OP  THE   CONFEDERATES.  51 

ning  for  dear  life — hatless,  bootless  and  ragged,  dusty  and 
powder-blackened.  Behind  them  thundered  our  avenging 
cavalry  and  artillery ;  while  the  sharp  rattle  of  musketry  at  the 
foot  of  Centreville  Heights  told  where  Jones  and  Longstreet 
hurled  destruction  on  their  flank. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

• 

The  Pursuit — Immense  Booty — Our  Prisoners  and  their  Behavior — A  Ride  over 
the  Field  of  Action — Incidents  of  the  Fight — Arrival  of  President  Davis  dur- 
ing the  Action,  and  its  Effect — Behavior  of  the  New-York  Fire  Zouaves — The 
Victorious  Army  did  not  Advance  upon  Washington  or  Maryland — Relic- 
mongers  on  the  Field  of  Battle — Personal  Appearance  of  President  Davis — 
Sketches  of  Evans  and  Longstreet. 

THOUGH  a  general  pursuit  was  ordered,  it  was  found  im- 
possible to  overtake  the  enemy,  so  precipitate  Bad  been  their 
flight ;  and  as  we  advanced,  the  signs  of  the  dreadful  combat 
of  that  day  seemed  to  multiply  at  every  step.  The  dead  and 
dying  are  common  to  every  battle-field ;  but  here  were  broken 
cannon- wheels,  deserted  camps,  overturned  caissons,  large 
supplies  of  commissary  stores,  files  of  prisoners,  captured 
wagons,  maimed  and  staggering  animals,  dead  horses,  cannons 
in  the  mud — innumerable  proofs  of  the  haste,  confusion,  and 
discomfiture  of  the  enemy.  Now  small  squads  of  cavalry 
dashed  in  advance,  then  scattering  musketry  could  be  heard 
faintly  in  the  distance ;  now  a  line  of  Federal  wagons  were 
found  blocked  up  in  the  road,  the  traces  cut  and  horses  gone ; 
again  we  came  up  with  squads  of  red  and  blue-legged  Yankee 
Zouaves  marching  good-humoredly  to  the  rear;  now  a  cap- 
tured battery  jingled  along  in  the  same  direction ;  and  as  for 
the  procession  of  stores,  tents,  wagons,  ambulances,  and  private 
carriages,  they  seemed  endless  in  number  and  variety.  Com- 
pletely exhausted  with  our  labors,  the  regiment  counter- 
marched and  bivouacked  in  one  of  the  deserted  camps,  where 
barrels  of  excellent  fresh  crackers,  hogsheads  of  hams  and 
bacon,  boxes  of  cheese,  raisins,  white  sugar,  coffee,  tea,  maca- 
roni, well-fitted  mess-chests,  blankets,  mattresses,  and  whiskey 
in  abundance,  soon  made  us  forgetful  of  our  late  privations. 

Our  men  were  frantic  with  the  glory  of  the  day  and  the  op- 
portune discovery  of  such  plentiful  supplies.  The  Yankees 


FEDERAL  PRISONERS.  53 

had  been  lavish  of  expense  in  preparing  for  the  "trip  to  Kich- 
mond,"  and  their  accumulated  luxuries  had  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  those  who  could  appreciate  them.  "We  found  large 
numbers  of  beeves  slaughtered  and  ready  for  butchering  in 
their  camps,  but  all  the  animals  had  been  stolen  from  neighbor- 
ing farms  on  their  march.  In  fact,  the  destruction  of  private 
property,  generally,  was  so  great,  that  farmers  were  raving — 
they  had  been  despoiled  of  almost  every  thing,  and  nothing  was 
paid  for.  Hedges  and  fences  were  all  rendered  unserviceable ; 
stacks  of  hay  and  straw  were  carted  off  or  burned,  and  the  in- 
habitants had  to  flee  to  the  woods  to  escape  insult  or  violence. 
Not  a  horse  or  mule  was  left  in  the  country  for  miles  around ; 
the  fugitives  had  seized  and  driven  them  off  to  Washington — 
as  many  as  three  being  often  seen  bestraddling  one  poor,  jaded 
beast — so  anxious  were  these  invaders  to  escape  us.  Coats, 
hats,  boots,  muskets,  and  accoutrements  lined  all  the  roads, 
and  every  by-path  leading  northward;  remnants  of  clothing 
hung  on  every  bush ;  and  over  all  dense  clouds  of  dust  arose, 
blinding  and  choking  every  one.  As  the  last  ra5's  of  the  sun 
shone  upon  the  neighboring  hills,  we  could  plainly  discern, 
with  the  aid  of  glasses,  the  roads  of  retreat  marked  by  dense 
lines  of  dust  rolling  over  the  dark  green  landscape  in  the 
distance. 

The  prisoners  taken  were  more  dead  than  alive — men  so  pale 
and  exhausted  I  never  saw.  Their  uniforms  were  in  tatters ; 
they  were,  for  the  most  part,  snoeless,  hatless,  and  literally 
gasping  for  water.  With  hair  dishevelled,  powder-begrimed 
and  dusty  faces,  bloodshot  eyes,  and  unstrung  nerves,  they 
were  more  the  objects  of  pity  than  derision.  •  As  night  came 
on,  bodies  of  troops  were  moving  in  all  directions;  cavalry 
jingled  by  with  strings  of  prisoners,  and  such  were  their  pitiful 
appeals  for  water  in  passing,  that  several  of  our  negroes  were 
constantly  employed  in  drawing  it  for  them.  Many  of  the  wells 
we  found  choked  up  with  all  kinds  of  rubbish — some  being 
filled  with  Ammunition  boxes,  offal,  and  earth.  Standing  on 
the  heights  of  Centreville  the  entire  plain  was  made  visible  by 
the  large  number  of  camp-fires  and  bivouacs ;  and  over  all 
arose  the  busy  hum  of  voices.  Everywhere  lanterns  and 
torches  flickered  in  the  gloom,  while  Manassas  Junction  seemed 
to  be  in  a  blaze  from  the  multitude  of  lights  and  fires.  Every 


54:  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

house  in  Centreville  was  converted  into  an  hospital — long  lines 
of  wounded  were  carried  in  mournful  procession,  while  in  re- 
tired spots  fatigue-parties  were  opening  trenches  for  the  dead. 
But  all  were  thoroughly  exhausted;  few  were  tempted  by- 
pleasure  or  curiosity  to  move,  and  about  nine  P.M.  our  men 
were  sound  asleep  in  their  tents  or  around  their  watch-fires, 
and  the  sentinels  themselves  stood  as  stationary  as  statues. 

The  incessant  rumbling  of  batteries,  wagons,  and  ambulances 
broke  my  slumbers,  while  ever  and  anon  I  started  up  half  in 
fear :  I  was  fighting  the  battle  over  in  my  dreams,  and  in  this 
state  of  semi- consciousness  experienced  far  more  danger  and 
adventure  than  I  had  done  in  the  actual  engagement.  Aroused 
by  the  crowing  of  cocks  at  twilight,  I  refreshed  myself  with  a 
bath  in  Bull  Eun,  and  found  all  kinds  of  clothing  floating  past, 
torn,  muddy,  and  bloody.  Then,  having  received  orders  to 
proceed  to  Manassas,  I  procured  a  good  mount,  and  chose  the 
most  circuitous  route,  by  Stone  Bridge  and  Sudley  Ford.  My 
course  was  for  some  distance  parallel  with  the  river,  through 
scenes  of  carnage  and  destruction  indescribable.  Near  the 
bridge  crossing  Cub  Kun  there  were  not  less  than  a  dozen 
wagons  overturned ;  wounded  men  were  sheltering  themselves 
under  trees  from  the  heavy  rain ;  tents  were  torn  and  flapping 
in  the  wind  on  every  hand,  and  the  mud  was  almost  impassa- 
ble. Approaching  Stone  Bridge,  my  sight  was  pained  by  corn- 
fields trodden  down ;  meadows  trampled  to  mud ;  farm-houses 
riddled  by  shot  and  shell,  and  orchards  destroyed  forever; 
chimneys  and  gables,  stone  fences  and  walls,  were  crumbling 
in  ruins,  while  the  dead,  and  sometimes  the  dying,  lay  in  heaps 
as  they  had  fallen. 

Having  crossed  Stone  Bridge,  I  perceived  that  the  face  of  the 
whole  country  in  front  was  disfigured,  if  not  destroyed ;  and 
here  numerous  mounds  of  newly-turned  earth  bespoke  the 
labors  of  fatigue-parties.  The  scene  was  too  melancholy.  Be- 
crossing,  I  proceeded  up  the  stream,  and  passed  the  large  and 
beautiful  fields  over  which  the  Federals  had  marched  in  their 
flank  movement  and  line  of  retreat.  As  much  as  possible,  this 
movement  had  been  concealed  from  us  by  marching  through 
the  woods ;  but  as  I  approached  Sudley  Ford,  the  proofs  that 
great  bodies  of  men  had  passed  here  were  multiplied.  The 
Ford  was  not  more  than  knee-deep ;  and  as  I  crossed,  every 


BEAUREGARD'S  ORDER.  55 

step  convinced  me  that  the  combat  had  begun  in  earnest  the 
moment  it  was  attempted  by  the  enemy.  The  old  Stone  Church 
and  all  the  neighboring  houses  were  perforated  with  shot,  and 
the  ground  was  thickly  covered  with  branches  of  trees  cut  by 
shot  and  shell.  All  the  houses,  barns,  and  out-houses,  and  also 
the  church  here,  were  used  as  hospitals,  not  less  than  five  hun- 
dred of  the  enemy  being  under  the  treatment  of  their  own  and 
our  surgeons. 

Hastening  towards  Manassas,  I  came  upon  the  fields  where 
the  enemy's  flanking  column  had  been  routed  on  the  previous 
afternoon.  The  ground  was  excessively  heavy  from  the  fall  of 
rain,  and  I  did  not  examine  it  minutely;  in  fact,  the  sight  of 
the  wounded  —  of  headless  and  limbless  trunks,  and  all  the  sad 
aspects  of  war  —  was  too  revolting,  and  I  passed  hurriedly  by 
without  numbering  or  examining  the  large  pits  newly  opened 
for  the  reception  of  the  dead.  This  was  the  spot  (about  two 
miles  from  Manassas)  which  the  closing  scenes  of  the  day  had 
rendered  forever  memorable,  some  additional  particulars  of 
which  may  here  be  given. 

From  a  distance,  on  the  day  of  battle,  I  had  observed  the 
gradual  lengthening  of  a  large  black  line  from  Sudley  Ford 
towards  Manassas,  but  until  the  afternoon  could  not  compre- 
hend it  This,  however,  was  the  brigaded  force  of  the  enemy 
preparing  for  the  final  struggle ;  and  about  three  P.M.,  not  fewer 
than  twenty -five  of  our  pieces  opened-  fire  upon  it.  Our  scat- 
tered infantry,  at  the  same  time,  were  re-formed  and  reenforced, 
but  so  steady  was  the  progress  made  by  the  enemy,  that  Beau- 
regard  had  thought  it  prudent  "to  call  up  Colonel  Jackson  with 
the  reserves  to  protect  the  retreat  that  seemed  inevitable.  Colo- 
nel Evans  had  not  proceeded  many  yards  on  this  errand  when 
he  was  recalled,  our  general  having  been  warned  by  the  field 
telegraph  that  troops  were  approaching  on  the  left.  Whether 
they  were  friends  or  foes  could  not  be  determined,  till  an  orderly, 
dashing  forward,  resolved  all  doubts.  u  Colonel  Terry,"  said 
Beauregard,  his  face  lighting  up,  "ride  forward  and  order 
General  Kirby  Smith  to  hurry  up  his  brigade,  and  strike  them 
on  the  flank  and  rear." 

This  important  episode  in  the  events  of  the  day  occurred  in 
front  of  the  enemy.  At  the  same  moment,  Manassas  station 
was  the  scene  of  a  transaction  not  less  memorable  for  its  bear- 


66  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

ing  upon  the  final  issue  of  the  struggle.  The  Eichmond  train, 
which  had  started  at  seven  A.M.,  but  from  various  accidents  did 
not  arrive  sooner,  was  drawn  into  the  station,  and  from  it  Presi- 
dent Davis  instantly  alighted,  and,  mounting  his  horse,  galloped 
towards  the  scene  of  action.  The  first  person  he  met  was  his 
own  brother,  Colonel  Joe  Davis.  "  Eeturn,  brother,"  said  the 
latter,  "  the  day  is  lost  —  they  have  outflanked  us,  and  will  be 
here  in  less  than  half  an  hour."  "  If  that  be  true,"  the  Presi- 
dent replied,  "  our  right  place  is  on  the  field  with  the  boys." 
Rapidly  galloping  towards  the  line  of  fire,  he  discovered  Kirby 
Smith's  brigade  advancing  at  the  "  double-quick,"  in  obedience 
to  the  order  just  received  from  Beauregard,  and  the  President 
being  recognized,  a  wild,  enthusiastic  yell  burst  from  the  men 
as  they  furiously  dashed  on  the  Yankee  flank,  and  instantly 
broke  it !  The  scene  of  confusion  that  then  ensued  was  truly 
appalling.  Believing  that  the  whole  of  Johnston's  army  was  in 
the  rear,  the  right  wing  of  the  enemy  broke  and  fled  in  inex- 
tricable confusion,  crossing  the  Bun  at  different  points,  and  in- 
fusing a  panic  into  whole  brigades  and  divisions,  as  already  re- 
lated. 

To  return  to  my  remembrances  of  the  field  after  the  battle. 
Manassas  Junction,  when  I  reached  the  spot,  resembled  a  vast 
fair.  Hundreds  of  persons  were  moving  about  from  enclosure 
to  enclosure,  viewing  the  parti-colored  prisoners,  who  were  tem- 
porarily confined  in  sheds.  In  one  place  were  several  hundreds 
of  muscular  fellows  in  red  trowsers  and  caps,  blue  jackets  and 
white  gaiters ;  these  ^were  the  famous  Fire  Zouaves  of  New- 
York,  about  whom  so  much  had  been  said  and  written  by  the 
whole  North.  Their  behavior  was  scandalous,  and  outraged  all 
decency ;  it  being  incredible  that  troops  who  had  behaved  so 
cowardly  before  an  inferior  force,  should  still  be  so  full  of  bom- 
bast as  to  insult  the  very  men  who  had  voluntarily  deprived 
themselves  of  food  and  blankets  to  feed  and  warm  them.  But 
let  this  pass.  In  all  directions  were  prisoners  of  every  grade, 
of  every  corps,  and  every  imaginable  style  of  uniform.  Around 
the  d^pot  were  piled  immense  stores  of  flour,  rice,  sugar,  coffee, 
clothing,  medicines,  ammunition,  and,  conspicuous  above  all, 
thirty  pieces  of  cannon.  Other  pieces  were  in  our  hands,  but 
had  not  yet  befen  brought  in.  The  rain  pouring  in  torrents, 
rendered  walking  impracticable  ;  so,  having  fulfilled  the  orders 


EAGERNESS  FOB    "  BELICS."  67 

intrusted  to  me,  and  satisfied  my  curiosity,  I  remounted,  and 
crossing  the  fields  south  of  the  Eun,  rejoined  my  regiment,  now 
snugly  encamped  in  the  Yankee  tents  beyond  Centreville. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  imagine  any  thing  more  dreary  than 
the  face  of  the  country  over  which  I  had  journeyed.  The  rain 
was  pouring  in  torrents,  thunder  rolled  and  crashed  in  every 
direction,  and  stately  trees  were  struck  down  by  the  lightning. 
Conveyances  were  sunk  in  mud  up  to  the  axles  ;  horsemen 
picked  their  way  as  best  they  could  ;  the  whole  army  was  wet, 
dreary,  drowsy,  dirty,  and  mud-locked.  It  was  physically  im- 
possible for  troops  to  advance  in  such  weather,  and  not  all  the 
ingenuity  of  man  could  have  moved  an  army  over  such  a  coun- 
try. But  even  had  this  been  possible,  the  army  was  totally 
unfit  to  move.  We  had  gained  an  important  victory  by  acci- 
>dent,  but  our  troops  required  far  more  experience  than  they 
then  possessed  to  commence  siege  operations  and  beleaguer  the 
capital  of  a  numerous  and  opulent  people.  Small  as  our  army 
was,  it  was  deficient  in  every  thing  but  courage  :  the  quarter- 
master's, commissary,  and  other  departments  were  in  the  hands 
of  inexperienced  civilians  ;  the  cavalry  was  totally  inadequate  to 
our  necessities  ;  the  artillery  weak  and  unorganized,  imperfectly 
supplied  with  materiel  of  thex  worst  description,  and  indiffer- 
ently disciplined.  It  was  impossible  it  could  be  otherwise  in 
an  army  so  hurriedly  formed  as  ours  had  been  ;  and-  hence,  hav- 
ing a  fair  knowledge  of  the  facts,  I  cannot  but  fully  concur  in 
the  majority  vote  of  the  council  of  war  which  decided  against 
an  advance  on  Washington.  Besides  military,  there  were 
doubtless  cogent  political  reasons  for  this  decision  ;  but  though 
partially  informed,  it  is  not  my  province  to  speak  of  them  here. 
Leaving  the  direction  of  affairs  to  those  responsible  for  them, 
and  with  unbounded  confidence  in  their  ability,  our  men  betook 
themselves  to  gayety  on  a  small  scale,  or  occupied  their  leisure 
hours  in  writing  home  ;  the  daily  mail  occasionally  weighing 
not  less  than  one  ton.  Strangers  poured  into  Manassas  daily  to 
see  the  "  sights,"  and  carry  off  "relics."  Uniforms,  arms,  but- 
tons, caps,  and  even  skulls  were  seized  with  avidity,  and  where 
Bartow,  Bee,  Fisher,  and  other  heroes  had  fallen,  the  woods 
were  stripped  of  every  branch  that  could  be  converted  into  a 
walking-stick  or"  cane.  The  vitiated  tastes  and  vulgar  curiosity 
of  these  people  were  disgusting.  Hundreds  of  non-combatants 


58  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

daily  trudged  through,  the  mud  from  field  to  field,  examining 
localities  with  intense  curiosity  and  loquacious  patriotism. 
Even  when,  during  warm  weather,  the  effluvia  from  graves  and 
unburied  matter  was  unbearable,  these  relic-mongers  might  be 
seen,  hovering  over  the  fields  like  carrion  crows,  carrying  off  all 
kinds  of  trifles,  including  twenty -four  pound  shot  and  shell  • 
any  imaginable  article,  heavy  or  light,  that  could,  with  any 
show  of  reason,  be  called  a  "  relic." 

During  the  week,  when  the  weather  had  cleared  and  the 
scorching  July  sun  blazed  again  as  of  old,  by  common  consent 
we  all  took  to  the  woods,  and  encamped  there.  As  for  "  Jeff. 
Davis,"  it  appears  that  when  the  rout  of  the  enemy  was  com- 
plete, he  had  ridden  without  escort  along  the  lines  ;  but  his  fea- 
tures and  figure  were  so  well  known  that  he  was  quickly  dis- 
covered, and  loud  yells  of  delight  rang  out  from  our  whole 
army.  Taking  advantage  of  the 'fall  of  evening,  he  "dropped 
in  "  upon  our  officers,  (many  of  whom  were  fellow-townsmen, 
or  ex-members  of  the  U.  S.  branches  of  Legislature,)  to  have  a 
quiet  chat.  As  I  had  never  seen  a  live  -President,  my  curiosity 
was  on  the  qui  vive,  and  when  his  presence  was  whispered  to 
me,  I  found  him  sitting  at  our  colonel's  tent-door,  with  a  circle 
of  captains  and  lieutenants,  conversing  very  q'uietly  on  State 
affairs,  but  with  no  more  animation  or  sign  of  pleasure  than  if 
a  victorious  army  was  not  around,  or  a  beaten  one  flying  from, 
him.  In  citizen  attire,  with  beaver  hat,  and  smoking  a  cigar,  he 
listened  to  all  that  was  said,  assented  or  dissented  with  a  nod  of 
the  head,  and  some  time  afterwards,  mounting  his  grey  mare 
ambled  6ff  to  Manassas,  as  unostentatiously  as  if  he  were  the 
least  person  in  the  Confederacy.  Since  then  I  have  seen  the 
President  frequently  on  different  fields  of  battle,  and  have  ob- 
served little  change  in  his  habitually  modest  and  thoughtful  de- 
meanor, although  on  many  occasions  his  proud  and  victorious 
troops,  unconscious  of  his  presence,  were  rending  the  skies  with 
their  shouts  or  charging  the  enemy  with  unexampled  fury. 

The  brigadier  under  whom  we  had  hitherto  served  pleased 
the  men  so  little  that  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  appoint  in  his 
stead  Colonel  Nathan  Evans,  whose  generalship  and  gallantry 
at  Stone  Bridge  and  Sudley  Ford  had  won  for  him  universal 
esteem.  We  had  been  informed  that  our  command  was  under 
marching  orders,  and  parade  was  just  over  when  three  horse- 


.       A   BATCH  OF  GENERALS.  59 

men  galloped  into  camp,  and  saluted  the  colonel  These  were 
none  other  than  Evans,  Longstreet,  and  Ewell — names  that  are 
now  forever  hallowed  in  the  hearts  and  history  of  our  gallant 
army.  From  their  style  of  riding  and  peculiar  seat  in  the  sad- 
dle, I  at  first  sight  took  them  for  dragoons,  and  was  not  mis- 
taken. Evans  was  very  restless,  and  his  horse  reared  and 
chafed,  and  plunged  to  the  right  and  left  all  the  time  he  staid 
with  us.  He  is  about  forty  years  of  age,  with  a  head  of 
the  cast  of  Tom  Moore's ;  slightly  bald ;  small  restless  black 
eyes ;  heavy  black  moustaches ;  and  when  he  smiles,  dis- 
plays incomparable  teeth;  but  has  a  quick,  cunning,  and 
snappish  look,  although  his  manner  is  polished  and  polite.- 
His  countenance  looks  like  one  who  dissipates  occasionally ; 
he  is  of  medium  stature,  angular  in  his  movements,  never 
happy  but  when  in  the  saddle — a  perfect  soldier  in  every 
thing,  and  "  swears  like  a  trooper." 

Longstreet  is  a  powerfully-built  man,  somewhat  bald,  about 
five  feet  ten  inches  high,  with  sandy,  hair  and  whiskers — the 
latter  allowed  to  grow  untrimmed.  He  possesses  a  fine  bluish- 
gray  eye,  of  great  depth,  penetration,  and  calculation  ;  seldom 
speaks  unnecessarily,  seems  absorbed  in  thought,  and  very 
quiet  in  manner.  Ewell  I  did  not  see  distinctly;  he  was  con- 
tinually moving  about,  pry  ing  into  our  camp  arrangements,  and 
looking  towards  Manassas  with  his  glass.  All  three  were 
dressed  as  citizens,  with  heavy  black  felt  hats  on,  and  except 
pistols  in  their  holsters,  were  unarmed  and  unattended.  These 
officers  have  since  acquired  immortal  fame.  I  myself  have 
been  witness  to  their  achievements,  of  which  more  anon. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Battle  of  Oak  Hill  in  Missouri  —  The  Confederates  under  Price  and  McCulloch  are 
surprised,  but  prove  victorious  —  Death  of  the  Federal  General  Lyon,  and  Pro. 
motion  of  General  Fremont  —  Misunderstanding  between  Southern  Generals — 

•N  Cruel  Devastation  of  the  Country  by  Federal  Troops —  Character  of  Fremont — 
Siege  and  Capture  of  Lexington  by  Price — Immense  Booty*. 

THE  scene  of  action  now  shifts  to  Missouri,  and,  as  before,  I 
am  able  to  give  authentic  details  o/  the  events  that  took  place 
in  that  State,  having  received  the  following  letter  descriptive  of 
the  battles  of  "  Oak  Hill "  and  "Lexington :" 

"  DEAK  TOM  :  My  last  letter  informed  you  that,  after  the  ac- 
tion of  Carthage,  the  small  commands  of  Price,  McCulloch,  and 
Pearce  were  on  their  way  to  Cowskin  Prairie,  in  order  to  re- 
cruit and  organize.  "We  had  not  remained  in  this  wilderness 
of  a  place  many  days  when  information  was  brought  that  Lyon 
and  Sturgis  had  suddenly  ceased  their  pursuit,  bewildered  by 
the  unexpected  discomfiture  of  Sigel  at  Carthage.  After  a 
halt,  Lyon,  Sigel,  and  others  formed  a  junction  at  Springfield, 
where  they  numbered  some  twelve  or  fifteen  thousand  men, 
well  armed,  disciplined,  and  counting  among  them  a  heavy 
force  of  U.  S.  regulars  of  all  arms:  In  the  mean  time  we  our- 
selves were  receiving  reenforcements,  and  in  a  few  days  could 
count  upwards  of  nine  thousand,  under  the  command  of  General 
Price ;  of  these,  however,  thousands  had  no  arms  whatever,  and 
had  to  depend  entirely  on  chance  for  their  future  supply. 

'"  Not  only  were  we  deficient  in  weapons,  but  when  the  march 
on  Springfield  commenced  our  commissary  and  quartermaster's 
departments,  but  recently  organized,  proved  very  indifferent, 
and  it  was  seldom  the  men  drew  full  rations.  They  made  up 
for  all  deficiencies,  however,  by  laying  violent  hands  on  every 
thing  that  came  within  reach,  appropriating  large  quantities  of 
green  corn,  and  eating  it.  They  also  extensively  patronized  the 
various  corn-cribs  on  their  several  routes,  and,  shelling  the  corn, 


CAMP  AT  WILSON'S   CREEK.  61 

pounded  it  between  rocks  until  reduced  to  powder,  and  then 
made  bread.  Hogs  were  plentiful,  as  also  beef  cattle;  and 
farmers,  being  friendly  to  our  cause,  willingly,  sold  all  things 
for  Confederate  paper,  so  that  it  much  relieved  the  commissariat, 
and  eased  the  line  of  march.  Ben  McCulloch,  with  his  small 
column,  led  the  way ;  Pearce  of  Arkansas  followed ;  and  last 
came,  the  hero  and  patriot,  Sterling  Price,  with  his  ragged,  half- 
fed,  and  ill-armed  band  of  Missourians. 

"After  many  days  of  toilsome  travel,  we  approached  a  point 
thirty  miles  south  of  Springfield,  where  it  was  reported  Lyon 
and  Sigel  were  encamped  on  hills  beside  the  road.  "We  halted 
until  the  next  morning,  and  then,  cautiously  advancing,  found 
that  the  enemy  had  decamped  and  gone  in  the  direction  of 
Springfield.  Their  strengtb»we  could  not  ascertain  with  pre- 
cision, but  they  were  said  to  number  at  least  ten  thousand  men, 
well  armed,  well  drilled,  and  counting  thousands  of  "regulars" 
among  them.  They  also  had  a  strong  force  of  cavalry,  and 
some  twenty  pieces  of  artillery — Totten's  battery  being  consid- 
ered one  of  the  best  in  the  old  Federal  army.  Our  effective 
force  amounted  to  about  five  thousand  ill-armed,  badly  drilled 
men,  and  some  six  thousand  horsemen,  who  were,  for  polite- 
ness' sake,  called  cavalry ;  but  they  had  not  a  particle  of  dis- 
cipline among  them ;  they  had  been  drilled  to  serve  on  foot, 
and  were  armed  with  every  imaginable  weapon ;  their  horses, 
too,  were  little  better  than  skeletons. 

"  Finding  that  the  enemy  had  fallen  back  the  day  previous 
before  our  advance-guard,  we  hurried  forward  in  pursuit ;  but 
after  a  march  of  some  twenty  miles,  the  men  were  completely 
broken  down  from  fatigue  and,  the  want  of  proper  supplies. 
On  the  tenth  of  August  we  camped  at  Wilson's  Creek,  about 
ten  miles  south  of  Springfield,  and  the  whole  country  was 
scoured  for  provisions.  Whatever  the  fields  produced  was  in- 
stantly appropriated,  and  many  of  us .  thanked  Providence  for 
the  abundance  of  green  corn.  Ben  McCulloch  had  halted  his 
advance  on  the  right  of  the  road,  assisted  by  Pearce,  while 
Price  was  on  the  left  of  it ;  and  thoughtless  of  danger — in  fact, 
never  dreaming  of  Lyon  being  in  the  vicinity  at  all — threw 
out  no  pickets ;  or  if  any  were  in  advance,  they  were  few  in- 
deed. In  the  evening  little  was  thought  of  but  amusement : 


62  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF   THE   SOUTH. 

most  of  the  boys  were  dancing  and  kicking  up  their  heels  until 
a  late  hour,  as  lively  as  if  the  enemy  were  a  thousand  miles 
away.  But  hardly  had  the  sun  .risen,  when  the  sharp  report 
of  firearms  ,on  our  right  and  rear  awoke  every  one,  and  the 
word  passed  from  mouth  to  mouth :  '  They  are  here !  fall  in, 
fall  in !  we  are  surprised !  quick  I  quick !  we  are  surrounded ! 
fall  in !  fall  in !'  McCulloch  was  surprised,  as  none  will  ven- 
ture to  deny,  and  before  his  line  was  formed,  loud  drumming 
in  Price's  command  convinced  him  that  we  were  all  alike  in  a 
precarious  condition.  Sigel,  in  fact,  was  attacking  our  right 
and  rear  with  great  vigor,  and  his  shot  and  shell  were  bounc- 
ing into  our  camps  and  throwing  every  thing  into  confusion. ' 

"When  our  men  had  recovered  from  their  excitement  and 
formed  line,  it  was  found  that  §igel  had  already  advanced 
some  distance,  while  Lyon,  hearing  that  Sigel  was  fairly  en- 
gaged, pushed  the  centre  and  left  with  great  energy.  Totten's 
battery  was  admirably  posted  on  an  eminence,  and  ploughed 
up  the  ground  in  our  front.  Yet  there  old  Price,  our  gallant 
commander,  rode  up  and  down  the  line,  with  white  hair  stream- 
ing in  the  wind,  cheering,  forming,  and  encouraging  his  ragged 
musketeers,  who,  by  their  incessant  discharges  and  their  accu- 
rate aim,  stopped  Lyon's  advance,  and  equalized  the  fight  in 
the  centre  and  left,  while  McCulloch  was  stemming  the  storm 
on  the  right  and  rear.  Observing  the  destructive  effect  of  the 
fire  of  Sigel's  guns,  McCulloch  determined  to  make  a  bold 
dash,  and,  if  possible,  silence  them.  Collecting  a  few  Louisi- 
anians,  he  rushed  to  the  right  and  rear,  and  found  one  of  our 
batteries  already  engaged  in  that  quarter.  Some  confusion  was 
caused  bv  the  accuracy  of  our  fire,  taking  advantage  of  which, 
McCulloch  dashed  forward  with  his  companies,  and  before  the 
enemy  could  recover  from  their  astonishment,  five  guns  fell 
into  our  hands, » and  other  forces  instantly  following  up  the 
movement,  our  irregular  horse  dashed  in  upon  them  with  a  ter- 
rific yell,  discharging  their  shot-guns,  rifles,  and  revolvers,  at 
short  distance,  captured  their  sixth  and  last  piece,  and  began 
cutting  and  slashing  about  them  with  the  wildest  fury.  Sigel 
was  totally  routed!  His  infantry,  opposed  to  ours,  were  not 
better  than  Dutchmen  usually  are.;  and  their  flight  was  ex- 
pedited by  artillery,  which  hammered  away  at  them,  dropping 


ROUT  OF   SIGEL.          .  63 

shell  into  every  little  group,  and  clearing  our  whole  front  in 
that  direction. 

"Bat  while  the  battle  progressed  in  our  favor  on  the  right,/ 
Lyon  was  pushing  Price  with  great  vigor  in  the  centre  and 
left.  Our  men  stood  manfully  to  their  guns  against  the  accu- 
rate and  deadly  fire  of  the  Federal  'regulars,'  but  their  loss 
was  considerable,  for  the  enemy  occupied  a  hill,  and  every  ad- 
vance upon  them  was  opposed  by  discharges  from  their  whole 
force.  At  length,  owing  to  the  success  of  our  right,  Price  was 
reenforced  both  with  men  and  artillery ;  perceiving  which,  it 
was  obvious  to  Lyon  that  nothing  short  of  desperate  courage 
could  turn  the  tide  now  setting  against  him.  Eallying  his 
forces  in  a  gallant  manner,  he  rode  to  tneir  front,  and  waving 
a  handkerchief,  cheered  them  on,  making  himself  a  conspicuous 
mark  for  our  musketeers.  He  had  been  wounded  in  the  leg 
early  in  the  day,  but  rode  to  the  rear,  had  it  dressed,  and  laugh- 
ingly observed  that  'all  was  going  on  well,'  and  'he'd  turn  up 
trumps  before  night.'  As  our  men  advanced  up  the  hill  against 
the  masses  of  infantry  launched  against  them,  Lyon  (whom  I 
recognized  on  the  field,  having  frequently  seen  him  in  St.  Louis) 
was  riding  hastily  from  point  to  point,  cheering  and  leading 
his  men;  but  when  we  reached  the  top  of  the  hill  he  was  not 
to  be  seen,  and  I  concluded  he  must  have  fallen  by  one  of  the 
many  muskets  that  were  pointed  at  him. 

"On  reaching  the  brow  of  the  hill,  we  found  the  enemy 
strongly  posted,  and  apparently  determined  to  make  a  stout 
resistance.  We  cheered,  and  Tnade  a  rush  for  the  guns,  but 
masses  of  their  infantry  came  forward  and  protected  the  retreat;  f 
and  it  was  not  until  our  whole  force  was  collected  and  hurled 
at  this  point,  that  they  finally  gave  way,  and  left  the  field  in 
great  confusion.  Having  secured  the  field,  the  wildest  excite- 
ment and  howling  ensued ;  our  cavalry  were  sent  forward  to 
follow  them  up,  but  little  was  effected.  "We  captured  many 
prisoners  and  arms,  besides  ammunition  and  stores.  "We  pur- 
sued the  enemy  several  miles,  and  then  returning  to  camp, 
made  ourselves  comfortable  on  the  good  things  which  had 
fallen  to  our  lot.  The  body  of  poor  Lyon  was  found  among 
the  dead,  and  was  decently  coffined  and  sent  to  Springfield  for 
interment.  It  was  discovered  that  two  small  buckshot  had 


64:  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF   THE  SOUTH. 

penetrated,  one  above,  and  another  below,  the  left  nipple :  death 
must  have  been  almost  instantaneous.* 

"In  this  action,  we  captured  six  cannon,  many  wagons,  a 
quantity  of  stores,  and  five  or  six  hundred  stand  of  arms.  Our 
loss  was  estimated  at  two  hundred  and  fifty  killed,  and  one 
thousand  wounded  and  missing;  of  these  Price  claims  to  have 
lost  one  hundred  and  fifty  killed,  and  five  hundred  wounded. 
The  loss  of  the  Federals  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  was 
about  two  thousand.  Of  the  battle-field  I  can  say  little,  except 
that  our  safety  was  due  to  the  impetuosity  and  valor  of  our  men, 
as  both  Sigel  and  Lyon  crept  upon  us  during  night,  and  took 
up  commanding  positions,  from  which  the  latter  was  driven 
with  much  difficulty,  and  not  until  after  an  obstinate  and  bloody 
fight.  We  ought  to  thank  God  that  things  turned  out  so  favor- 
ably for  us,  as  the  most  sanguine  could  never  have  anticipated 
such  a  .complete  overthrow  of  the  enemy. 

"  When  our  troops  had  fully  rested  themselves,  and  the  va- 
rious departments  were  reduced  to  a  better  system  of  daily 
routine,  it  was  the  desire  of  Price  to  move  on  with  the  whole 
army  towards  the  Upper  Missouri,  seize  the  enemy's  stores^ 
supply  the  unarmed  with  weapons,  and,  if  need  be,  procure 
them  upon  the  battle-field,  ere  the  foe  could  recover  from  his 
late  .defeat,  and  mature  fresh  plans.  As  one  reason,  I  ought  to 
mention  that  information  was  constantly  reaching  us  that  Fre- 
mont, the  new  Federal  Commander-in-Chief,  was  actively  en- 

*  Major-General  Nathaniel  Lyon  was  a  Connecticut  Yankee  of  the  abolition  type ; 
not  more  than  forty-five  years  of  age,  small  in  stature,  wiry,  active,  with  dark  hair 
and  complexion,  small  black  eyes ;  fond  of  military  pomp,  but  an  excellent,  though 
restless,  and  ambitious  officer.  He  entered  the  United  States  army  as  Second  Lieu- 
tenant, July  first,  1841 ;  was  made  Captain  by  brevet,  August  twentieth,  1847 ; 
and  arrived  in  St.  Louis  in  April,  1861,  having  been  sent  from  his  post  far  in  the 
South-West  to  stand  a  court-martial  on  the  charge  of  peculation.  His  great  activity 
in  aiding  the  suppression  of  Southern  feeling  in  St.  Louis  endeared  him  to  the  abo- 
litionists ;  he  seized  the  arsenal,  erected  defences  round  the  city,  disarmed  the 
Camp  Jackson  Southern  sympathizers,  and  rapidly  rose  from  the  rank  of  captain 
to  that  of  Major-General  in  two  months.  His  cruelty  to  all  suspected  of  Southern 
sentiment,  and  in  the  administration  of  affairs,  will  long  be  remembered  by  all  who 
had  the  misfortune  to  live  under  his  brief  and  arbitrary  rule.  But  his  bravery  was 
undoubted,  and  had  his  troops  imitated  his  reckless  daring,  events  might  have  proved 
very  unfavorable  to  us  in  Missouri.  Eis  body  was  interred  by  us  in  a  metallic  Coffin 
at  Springfield,  but  subsequently  given  to  his  friends,  who  removed  it  north  to  Con- 
necticut, where  it  now  reposes  beneath  a  costly  monument. 


ATROCITIES  OF  THE   FEDERAL  TROOPS.  65 

gaged  in  forming  a  large  army  in  St.  Louis,  and,  having  un- 
limited funds  and  supplies,  was  likely  to  take  the  field  in  great 
strength.  The  desire  of  Price,  however,  did  not  meet  with  the 
approval  of  General  McCulloch,  who  wished  to  fall  back  on 
the  frontier  of  Arkansas^  and  allow  the  enemy  to  weary  them- 
selves in  hunting  for  him.  Price  was.  patriotic  enough  to  waive 
every  personal  consideration,  but  in  this  case  his  judgment  was 
against  concession,  and  as  the  State  had  not  then  '  formally ' 
seceded,  he  held  no  commission  under  the  Confederate  seal,  and 
was  not  bound  to  obey  McCulloch.  Accordingly,  finding  there 
was  no  prospect  of  arriving  at  unanimity,  either  in  sentiment 
or  action,  he  pushed  forward  alone  towards  the  Missouri,  and 
was  everywhere  hailed  as  the  chief  and  father  of  all.  You  never 
saw '  such  patriotism  as  was  displayed  on  every  hand ;  and 
although,  at  best,  we  were  a  poor  undrilled  body  of  adven- 
turers living  upon  the  public,  and  trusting  to  heaven  for  sup- 
plies, our  regiments  and  brigades  were  animated  with  a  burning 
enthusiasm  for  action,  and  an  unbounded  confidence  in  our 
leader,  which  were  enough  to  carry  us  through  any  enterprise. 
"  Everywhere,  as  we  proceeded,  signs  were  multiplied  of  the 
wanton  waste  and  recklessness  of  the  Dutch  dastards  and  North- 
ern fanatics  in  the  pay  of  Fremont.  He  was  the  most  ultra 
abolitionist  who  could  be  found,  and  Frank  Blair  pointed  him 
out  as  'of  the  right  stripe' — the  'coming  man' — 'one  who 
would  put  the  war  upon  a  proper  footing !  seize  and  confiscate 
the  property  of  all  who  dared  oppose  the  ruling  system  of 
Northern  Government,'  etc.  Truly  the  barbarities  of  our  en% 
mies  are  beyond  all  description.  All  law — save  military  law — 
is  suspended,  banks  robbed  of  specie,  wealthy  men  '  compelled ' 
to  contribute  largely  for  the  wholesale  destruction  of  friends 
and  relatives,  to  say  nothing  of  their  political  rights ;  prisons 
full  in  every  city  where  their  rule  is  paramount ;  Habeas  Corpus 
laughed  at,  dwellings  seized,  property  confiscated,  negroes  sold 
and  carried  away,  farms  destroyed,  cattle  driven  off,  barns, 
houses,  burned  before  their  owners'  eyes,  while  mothers,  wives, 
sisters,  or  daughters,  are  insulted  and  disgraced,  and  oftentimes 
murdered.  All  this  is  true.  God  forbid  I  should  exaggerate ; 
and  were  I  willing  to  do  so,  things  are  so  bad  they  could  not  be 
painted  worse,  with  all  the  coloring  in  the  world.  Our  whole 
5  . 


66  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE  SOUTH. 

march  to  this  place  has  presented  harrowing  sights — widows, 
wives,  children,  and  the  aged,  standing  houseless  by  the  way- 
side, their  homes  in  flames  and  ruins,  '  because  the  rebels  are 
coming,  and  it  is  a  military  necessity  !' 

"  You  will  not  ask  if  they  are  Missourians  who  have  done 
these  things ;  you  know  the  character  of  our  fellow-country- 
men too  well.  These  destroyers  are  the  valiant  German  and 
Dutch  heroes  of  Sigel,  runaways  from  battle-fields,  who  show 
their  paltry  spite  to  helpless  little  ones,  whose  fathers  and  broth- 
ers are  fighting  for  .freedom  of  thought,  word,  and  action. 
Heaven  forbid  that  the  name  of  Missourians  should  be  placed 
on  such  a  record!  Yet  there  are  ambitious  leaders  among 
.them,  who  riot  in  devastation,  and  care  not  who  perish,  so  they 
may  rule.  A  German  republic  or  empjre  is  their  dream,  and 
already  their  general  is  assuming  all  the  trumpery  and  airs  of 
foreign  courts  —  already  he  travels  in  state,  has  a  German  body- 
guard, tricked  out  in  what  appears  to  be  the  cast-off  finery  of  a 
third-class  theatrical  wardrobe.  When  he  travels  on  the  river? 
an  entire  steamboat  is  not  more  than  sufficient  to  accommodate 
the  majesty  of  Fremont;  guards  pace  before  his  door  night 
and  day ;  servants  in  gay  livery  hand  around  catawba  on  silver 
waiters ;  grooms  and  orderlies  flit  about  like  poor  imitations  of 
the  same  class  of  servants  in  German  cities,  while  the  ruling 
language  of  the  court  is  very  low  Dutch,  redolent  of  lager-beer 
and  schnapps !  But  to  return  to  the  true  object  of  this  hur- 
ried letter. 

"  From  those  constantly  arriving  in  camp,  it  was  ascertained 
Beyond  a  doubt  that  Fremont  was  strongly  fortifying  all  im- 
portant cities  on  the  Missouri  River,  to  serve  as  a  safe  base  of 
operations,  whence  supplies  could  be  easily  transported  into  the 
interior  by  wagon-trains  or  boats.  Lexington,  held  by  Colonel 
Mulligan  and  a  heavy  force,  was  known  to  be  strongly  forti- 
fied, and  being  on  high  ground,  it  commanded  all  approaches 
from  the  interior,  while  the  river  was  kept  open  for  the  transit 
of  any  number  of  troops  from  St.  Louis.  Price  determined  to 
march  forward  and  attack  it,  but  was  informed  that  large  bands 
of  outlaws  from  Kansas,  under  General  Jim  Lane  and  others, 
were  devastating  the  whole  country  on  his  left  flank,  and  threat- 
ened to  get  in  his  rear.  Suddenly  diverging  from  his  proper 


.MARCH  UPON  LEXINGTON".  67 

route,  Price  sent  Rains  and  Parsons  up  in  that  direction,  with  a 
small  force  of  determined  men ;  and  so  secretly  was  the  expedi- 
tion conducted,  that  they  unexpectedly  came  upon  Lane  at  a 
creek  called  Drywood,  and  after  a  confused  fight  of  some  hours, 
drove  the  enemy  from  the  field,  pushed  forward  to  their  head- 
quarters at  Fort  Scott,  and  captured  it,  with  every  thing  intact 
Joining  the  column  under  Price  again,  our  army  of  five  thou- 
sand effectives  and  five  guns  pushed  forward  towards  Lexington, 
and  arrived  in  the  vicinity  on  the  thirteenth  of  September. 

t:  Our  '  irregular '  horse  (for  I  can  call  them  nothing  else)  did 
good  service  in  scouring  the  country  for  supplies,  and  keeping 
the  enemy  within  the  lines  of  the  town,  and  although  frequently 
invited  to  combat,  the  noble  Yankees  remained  quietly  within 
their  chain  of  breastworks,  and  refused  every  offer.  By  tire 
eighteenth,  our  ammunition-wagons  and  artillery  had  arrived, 
and  the  infantry  being  sufficiently  rested,  Price  broke  up  his 
encampment  at  the  Fair  Grounds,  several  miles  from  town,  and 
advanced  against  the  city.  The  Fair  Grounds,  I  may  tell  you, 
would  have  proved  an  admirable  position  for  us  had  the  enemy 
ventured  to  attack ;  indeed,  it  was  surmised  that,  upon  hearing 
of  our  appearance  at  Lexington,  Fremont  would  have  collected 
his  available  force  in  St.  Louis,  and  coming  up  in  boats,  re- 
enforced  Mulligan,  and  chased  us  out  of  the  country. 

"  Our  General  was  aware  of  the  strength  of  the  city,  and  made 
his  dispositions  accordingly.  He  knew  there  were  several  steam- 
boats under  the  bluff,  and  that  the  enemy's  supply  of  water 
depended  entirely  upon  the  river.  An  assault  was  out  of  the 
question,  as  the  college  buildings  and  other  strong  edifices  had 
been  converted  into  forts,  and  mounted  with  guns  which  swept 
every  approach.  Our  men  knew,  however,  that  there  were  im- 
mense supplies  of  all  kinds  in  the  place,  including  cannon, 
horses,  wagons,  ambulances,  thousands  of  small-arms,  import- 
ant state  documents,  and  much  specie,  which  had  been  robbed 
from  banks  throughout  the  country  ;  and  as  some  thought  the 
officers  were  too  slow  and  careful  in  approaching  through  the 
outskirts,  they  resolved  to  charge  the  enemy's  line  of  intrench- 
ments  placed  higher  up  in  town.  They  made  the  trial,  and 
suffered  considerably,  and  were  then  satisfied  that  cautious 
measures  were  the  best.  Rains's,  force  moved  forward,  and 


68  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

without  much  opposition  occupied  a  good  position  north-north- 
east of  the  breastworks,  and  with  two  batteries  maintained  an 
effective  and  destructive  fire  upon  them,  from  which  there  was 
no  escape ;  Parsons  moved  up  south-south-west,  and  was  also 
favorably  posted ;  each  of  these  brigades  having  supports  within 
call,  should  the  enemy  sally  down  from  the  hill,  and  attempt  to 
dislodge  them  from  their  hastily-constructed  field-works.  A 
heavy  body  of  sharpshooters,  thrown  out  in  front,  were  ready 
to  harass  and  cut  off  the  gunners,  and  all  such  as  might  appear 
in  sight  carrying  water  from  the  river  or  the  wells.  By  these 
operations  gradual  approach  was  made  upon  the  foe,  who  lost 
every  hour  from  the  deadly  accuracy  of  our  skirmishers,  and 
made  several  attempts  to  dislodge  them,  without  success. 

"While  these  events  were  transpiring  at  Lexington,  Price 
received  word  (September  eighteenth)  that  General  D.  R.  Atche- 
son  (formerly  President  of  the  United  States  Senate)  and 
Colonel  Saunders  were  coming  down  the  north  bank  of  the 
river  to  support  him.  Having  reached  a  point  twenty-five 
miles  above  the  city,  two  thousand  of  this  force  crossed  with 
Saunders,  Atcheson  being  left  in  charge  of  the  remainder. 
General  Jim  Lane,  however,  was  also  approaching  in  the  same 
direction  with  a  heavy  force  of  his  Kansas  '  Jayhawkers '  to  re- 
enforce  Mulligan  in  Lexington,  and,  finding  Atcheson  with  so 
small  a  force,  vigorously  attacked  him.  The  Missourians  knew 
these  '  Jayhawkers '  of  old,  in  many  a  border  fight,  and,  taking 
to  the  woods,  they  maintained  such  a  murderous  fire  that  Lane 
was  soon  .routed,  with  a  loss  of  more  than  two  hundred,  while 
Atcheson  lost  but  ten !  The  Missourians  then  effected  a  junc- 
tion with  Price>  and  instilled  new  ardor  into  the  whole  army. 

"  Lane  was  defeated,  but  now  it  was  known  that  Sturgis  was 
approaching,  also,  on  the  north  bank,  his  object  being  to  cross 
over- and  assist  Mulligan,  with  over  fifteen  hundred  cavalry. 
To  accomplish  this,  he  depended  upon  the  ferry-boats  for 
transportation ;  but  these  boats,  lying  snugly  under  the  bluff, 
Price  determined  to  capture,  at  whatever,  cost,  particularly  as 
a  large  steamboat  also  lying  there  was  reported  to  contain  con- 
siderable quantities  of  stores.  Directing  Colonel  Rives  to  this 
point,  that  officer  carefully  approached  from  the  west,  along 
the  river's  edge,  partly  within  view  of  the  fortifications,  and 


SURRENDER  OF  LEXINGTON.  69 

effected  the  important  capture  in  gallant  style,  removing  the 
vessels  beyond  reach  of  destruction.  Mulligan  saw  the  ma- 
noeuvre when  too  late,  but  opened  a  vigorous  fire  upon  the 
party,  and  as  many  men  fell,  on  account  of  the  enemy's  posses- 
sion of  a  house  on  top  of  the  bluff,  several  companies  were 
detailed  to  attack  it.  Although  advancing  under  a  deadly  fire 
from  musketry  and  artillery,  the  Missourians  took  the  house  in 
gallant  style,  but  not  without  loss ;  nor  were  they  allowed  to 
hold  it  with  impunity.  As  this  house  was  within  one  hundred 
and  fifty  yards  of  his  main  works,  and  could  be  made  to  com- 
mand them,  Mulligan  collected  a  strong  force,  sallied  forth,  and 
retook  it,  slaughtering  its  captors  without  mercy  :  not  one  man 
was  spared.  Still  the  enemy  were  not  allowed  to  retain 
possession ;  our  forces,  having  attacked  and  carried  the  high 
grounds  to  the  north,  so  pounded  the  house  from  this  position 
that  it  was  soon  vacated  as  untenable. 

"  Thus  we  were  gaining  ground  on  all  sides,  and  the  enemy's 
position  becoming  more  and  more  circumscribed  every  hour ; 
while  our  artillery,  moving  upon  conquered  positions,  blazed 
away  right  and  left,  sweeping  every  thing  before  them.  Mulli- 
gan's position,  however,  was  still  a  strong  one,  and  he  could 
have  held  out  for  a  long  time,  but,  being  completely  cut  off 
from  water,  his  men  were  failing  in  strength  every  hour. 
Hearing  that  Sturgis  was  fast  approaching  the  north  ferry 
landing,  Price  got  up  steam  on  his  captured  boats,  and  trans- 
ported a  strong  force  over  to  that  side,  under  Parsons,  who 
managed  the  enterprise  so  warily,  that  Sturgis  barely  escaped 
capture ;  his  whole  command  retreated  in  the  wildest  disorder, 
leaving  hundreds  of  tents,  camp  equipage,  and  large  stores 
behind,  untouched. 

"  Since  the  first  opening  skirmishes  on  the  thirteenth,  we  had 
gradually  worked  our  way  through  the  town ;  but  real  business, 
as  I  have  said,  commenced  on  the  eighteenth,  and  this  with 
great  success  on  every  hand.  It  now  being  the  twentieth,  over 
fifty  hours  of  incessant  fire  had  been  maintained  on  both  sides^ 
the  loss  of  the  enemy  being  very  considerable.  Seeing  his 
boats  captured,  and  that  Lane  and  Sturgis,  instead  of  fighting 
their  way  to  him,  had  'skedaddled'  in  all  directions,  Mulligan 
showed  evident  signs  of  yielding,  and  it  must  be  remembered 


70  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

that  he  found  it  impossible  to  obtain  water  for  his  men,  who 
were  on  constant  duty  night  .and  day.  At  the  same  time,  fear- 
ful of  Fremont's  or  some  other  officer's  arrival  to  raise  the 
siege,  our  men  redoubled  their  efforts,  and  maintained  a  heavy 
fire  from  every  point,  the  result  .of  which  was  that  Mulligan 
hoisted  a  white  flag  on  his  works  towards  four  P.M.  on  the 
twentieth.  Firing  then  ceased,  and  loud,  deafening  yells  from, 
all  points  of  the  compass  informed  me  that  the  brave  Mulligan 
had  unconditionally  surrendered. 

"  When  the  Federals  stacked  arms,  and  marched,  out,  we 
found  that  we  had  captured  four  thousand  effectives,  rank  and 
file,  half  a  dozen  colonels,  one  hundred  and  twenty  commis- 
sioned officers,  several  stands  of  colors  and  brass  bands,  two 
mortars,  five  rifled  guns,  over  four  thousand  stand  of  arms, 
scores  of  sabres,  lots  of  cavalry  and  wagon  harness,  eight  hun- 
dred horses,  numerous  wagons,  mules,  ambulances,  and  medical 
outfits ;  immense  supplies  of  every  description  ;  much  clothing, 
shoes,  tents,  ammunition,  and  camp  utensils,  together  with 
about  one  million  dollars  stolen  from  various  banks,  which 
we  instantly  returned.  Mulligan's  sword  was  politely  re- 
turned to  him  by  Price  with  a  'neat  speech,'  and  all  the 
prisoners  being  paroled,  were  immediately  sent  North  on  their 
way  rejoicing.  Such  jubilation  was  visible  in  every  camp  as  I 
will  not  attempt  to  describe,  although,  from  your  description  of 
Manassas,  I  suppose  one  scene  is  very  much  like  another  in 
this  respect.  My  left  arm 'was  wounded  in  the  assault  on  the 
bluff,  and  has  caused  me  much,  suffering;  but  to  keep  my 
promise  I  have  partly  written  and  partly  dictated  this  scrawl, 
so  that  you  may  form  some  idea  of  our  doings.  The  mails 
between  us  are  few  and  far  between,  but  I  look  for  a  letter 
from  you  every  day.  Love  to  all  your  boys  and  any  old 
friends,  for  I  suppose  you  meet  old  schoolmates  every  day  in 
various  regiments.  I  do  not  know  how  long  Price  will  remain 
here,  but,  judging  from  reports  and  Fremont's  uneasiness  in  St. 
Louis,  suspect  Price  will  be  again»moving,  heaven  only  knows 
where,  in  a  few  days.  Yours  always,  POLK." 


CHAPTER  YHL 

March  to  Leesburgh — Fertility  and  Beauty  of  Loudon — "We  are  subjected  to  many 
Alarms,  much  Labor,  and  incessant  Duty — Cavalry  Fights — Perfidy  of  Northern 
Sympathizers — Infantry  Encounters — Marauding  Parties  of  the  Enemy  cross 
into  Virginia — Their  Capture  and  Punishment — Artillery  Duels — Heavy  Picket 
Firing — Movements  of  the  Enemy,  who  mass  heavy  Forces,  and  endeavor  to 
shell  Leesburgh  from  their  superior  Position. 

WITHIN  a  short  time  it  was  definitely  settled  that  we  should 
move  up  the  country  to  Leesburgh — a  stone's  throw  'from  the 
Potomac  and  Maryland.  What  our  ultimate  destination  might 
be,  none  knew  or  cared.  Any  thing  to  get  away  from  Man- 
assas  and  Centreville,  any  place  where  we  could  have  a  change 
of  scene,  and  find  butter,  eggs,  and  poultry  procurable  for 
money,  all  such  articles  having  been  consumed  where  we  then 
were,  or  so  few  remaining  that  fabulous  prices  were  asked  for 
them.  A  couple  of  chickens  could  not  be  had  for  less  than 
five  dollars,  (£1 ;)  milk  was  one  dollar  per  gallon ;  butter,  fifty 
cents  per  pound ;  whiskey  hardly  attainable  at  ten  dollars  (£2) 
per  gallon,  and  other  things  in  proportion.  When  it  was 
known,  therefore,  that  we  had  orders  for  Leesburgh,  Loudon 
County — the  most  fertile  and  richest  county  in  Virginia — we 
were  envied  by  every  corps  in  the  army,  and  were  generally 
looked  upon  as  the  advance  guard  of  some  important  move- 
ment. 

Taking  up  the  line  of  march,  we  passed  northwards  through 
the  most  picturesque  and  delightful  farming  country  the  eye  per- 
haps ever  beheld.  All  was  decidedly  English  in,  aspect,  and  the 
people  remarkably  so.  The  lands  were  highly  cultivated ;  the 
cattle  fat  and  of  superior  stock ;  the  farm-houses,  out-houses,  and 
negro  quarters  were  all  substantially  and  neatly  built ;  they  were 
also  scrupulously  clean,  and  marked  by  an  air  of  comfort  and  con- 
tentment superior  to  any  thing  I  had  seen  farther  south.  Mount- 
ains and  valleys,  hills  and  dales,  fine  springs  and  majestic  woods 


72  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

came  into  view  at  every  turn  of  the  road,  while  overloaded  barns 
and  corn-cribs,  neat  school-houses,  and  rustic  churches  by  the 
wayside,  cosy  villages,  and  strong,  masculine,  rosy-cheeked  in- 
habitants, contrasted  favorably  with  the  tumble-down  appearance, 
sallow,  fever-and -aguish  aspect  of  the  immensely  wealthy,  but 
careless  and  fast-living  Cotton  States.  The  habits,  dress,  look, 
language,  and  all  things  reminded  me  much  of  England ;  but 
nothing  more  so  than  the  buxom,  rosy-faced,  and  white-aproned 
mothers  and  daughters  who  lined  the  wayside,  and  brought  out 
of  their  store  to  entertain  the  weary  soldiery  as  they  toiled  up 
the  hills  of  this  beautiful  region. 

Our  reception  by  the  inhabitants  was  enthusiastic  and  cheer- 
ing. It  had  been  rumored  that  London  County  was  a  den  of 
traitors  to  the  patriotic  cause,  but  such  cordial  behavior  was  a 
more  than  sufficient  contradiction  of  the  calumny.  This  coun- 
ty, situated  in  the  north-eastern  corner  of  the  State,  was  mount- 
ainous and  rolling  in  its  physical  character.  The  Potomac  ran 
on  two  sides,  north  and  east,  separating  it  from  Maryland, 
while  in  the  north-west  we  could  see .  the  mountains  which  sep- 
arated us  from  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  Harper's  Ferry  lay 
under  the  northern  extremity  of  the  London  Heights,  the  Poto- 
mac washed  its  foot,  while  on  the  opposite  bank  towered  per- 
pendicularly the  heights  of  Maryland,  commanding  the  Ferry, 
by  its  only  lines  of  approach  from  Loudon  County  or  the  Shen- 
andoah Valley.  T?he  distance  by  the  river  (unnavigable  here) 
from  Leesburgh  to  the  Ferry  was  about  forty  miles  ;  the  land 
route  was  about  thirty-five  miles,  with  two  or  three  very  small 
towns  in  the  valleys — among  them  Lovettsville,  on  the  south 
bank,  and  but  four  miles  from  the  Ferry.  A  body  of  the  ene- 
my were  reported  to  be  in  possession  of  this  last-mentioned 
place,  and  General  Evans  grinned  good-humoredly  in  reply  to 
inquiries,  and  promised  to  "shake  them  out  of  it  one  of  these 
fine  mornings !"  The  w.hole  aspect  of  the  country  from  Lees- 
burgh  to  the  river,  north  and  east,  and  far  in  Maryland,  was 
unbroken  rolling  land,  but  to  the  north  stood  a  cluster  of  three 
isolated  hills,  the  tallest  and  most  conspicuous  of  which  was 
called  the  "  Sugar  Loaf." 

The  Federals  occupied  the  last-mentioned  eminence  on  our 
approach,  and  from  it  they  obtained  a  full  view  of  all  that 


MAN(EUVRES.  ,  73 

transpired  on  our  side  of  the  river,  with  the  advantage  of  being 
but  fifteen  miles  distant  from  their  forces  at  Harper's  Ferry, 
and  the  same  from  Poolesville,  where  General  Stone  com- 
manded a  large  force.  Their  pickets  lined  the  whole  river 
from  the  Ferry  to  Washington,  so  that  it  was  impossible  for 
troops  to  approach  the  Potomac  without  being  discovered, 
when  the  fact  was  instantly  telegraphed  from  post  to  post  to 
McClellan,  who  was  now  chief  in  command.  To  deceive  the 
enemy,  however,  Evans  had  divided  his  force  into  small  parties, 
with  an  over-allowance  of  tents ;  and  as  white  canvas -covered 
wagons  were  continually  seen  moving  about  over  the  hills,  and 
as  our  various  camps  were  wide-spread  and  plentifully  supplied 
with  fuel,  it  was  thought  by  their  journals  that  Johnston  was 
in  chief  command  of  our  troops,  and  had  not  less  than  from 
thirty  to  forty  thousand  men. 

The  truth  is,  that  Johnston  and  Beauregard  were  manoeuvring 
around  Fairfax  Court-House  with  the  main  army,  while  Centre- 
ville  and  Manassas  were  being  impre'gnably  fortified ;  the  total 
force  with  which  we  made  so  great  a  show  numbering  only 
some  three  thousand  infantry,  with  four  light  field-pieces,  and  a 
squadron  of  cavalry.  Evans,  however,  moved  us  about  con- 
tinually; now  we  marched  opposite  the  Sugar  Loaf,  our 
tents  still  standing  in  the  old  camp-ground  near  Leesburgh ; 
next  day  would  find  us  in  some  other  direction  ;  so  that  at  last 
the  enemy  were  completely  deceived  as  to  our  number  or 
position,  and  were  ever  on  the  qui  vive.  So  complete  was  the 
illusion,  that  our  scouts  daily  informed  us  of  counter-move- 
ments by  the  enemy,  who,  with  whole  brigades  and  divisions, 
were  continually  marching  from  place  to  place  to  prevent  our 
supposed  attempts  at  crossing !  The  Federal  commander  Stone 
wao  an  old  schoolfellow  with  Evans  at  West-Point,  and  smart 
messages,  it  is  said,  were  frequently  passed  between  the  rival 
commanders  across  the  river.  Picket-firing  was  constantly 
maintained  between  the  guards  on  opposite  banks  of  the  stream, 
with  more  animosity,  however,  than  decided  effect. 

The  enemy  was  still  on  our  side  of  the  Potomac  at  Lovetts- 
ville,  and  it  was  determined  first  to  entice  them  into  the  interior, 
and  then  surround  them,  ^if  possible.  Scouts  came  in  daily, 
correctly  informing  us  of  the  position,  number,  and  depreda- 


74  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF   THE   SOUTH. 

tions  of  the  enemy,  but  we  were  sorry  to  learn  that  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  surrounding  country  patronized  them.  The  people 
of  Lovettsville  and  "Waterford  were  chiefly  Pennsylvania  Qua- 
kers, who  had  of  late  years  settled  there,,  and  although  their 
creed  forbade  warfare,  they  fought  amazingly  well  with  the 
tongue  in  favor  of  Unionism,  and  had  on  several  occasions  be- 
trayed our  men  to  the  enemy.  General  Evans  had  warned 
them  against  harboring  the  foe,  but  they  replied  by  concocting 
a  plan  to  destroy  all  our  cavalry  in  the  neighborhood.  An 
old  broad-brimmed  proprietor  of  an  antiquated  hotel  invited 
the  captain  of  cavalry  to  halt  and  refresh  his  men.  The  soldier 
willingly  did  so,  but  while  engaged  at  dinner,  the  premises 
were  surrounded  by  several  hostile  squadrons.  Our  men 
mounted  and  fought  their  way  out  as  best  they  could,  but  lost 
half  their  number  in  killed  and  missing. 

Exasperated  at  the  perfidy  of  these  fanatics,  Evans  summon- 
ed his  brigade,  and  leaving  camps  standing,  to  deceive  the 
telegraph  at  the  Sugar  Loaf,  sallied  forth  towards  Lovettsville 
long  before  day.  When  the  sun  rose  over  Maryland,  we  had 
just  halted  on  a  lofty  hill  and  lay  in  the  woods.  The  scenery 
on  either  hand  was  enrapturing.  East  of  us  lay  the  wide  ex- 
panse of  Maryland  and  Loudon,  bathed  in  gold ;  the  Potomac, 
winding  to  the  sea,  was  covered  with  a  dense  whi,te  vapor  that 
sparkled  like  molten  silver;  clouds  capped  the  Sugar  Loaf; 
while  to  the  west  rose  dark  lines  of  mist-covered  hills  and 
mountains,  with  snow-white  villages  dotting  the  undulating 
landscape.  The  column  pushed  rapidly  forward  ;  but  ere  mid- 
day large  black  clouds  gathered  on  the  mountains,  and  a  tre- 
mendous rain  poured  into  the  valley.  At  "secure  arms,"  our 
boys  trudged  along  manfully  through  mud  and  water,  and  as 
we  approached  our  destination,  horsemen  were  seen  hovering 
in  the  advance,  and  rapidly  disappearing.  With  our  cavalry 
to  the  front,  we  moved  forward  at  a  quick  pace,  and,  halting 
within  a  mile  of  the  town,  unexpectedly  came  upon  a  large 
body  of  horse,  who  were  instantly  charged  by  our  troopers. 
A  desperate  encounter  ensued ;  the  enemy  gave  way,  a  run- 
ning fight  took  place;  friend  and  foe  simultaneously  charging 
through  the  town  in  the  greatest  'confusion.  The  enemy  were 
at  last  driven  into  the  river  in  sight  of  their  whole  force  drawn 
up  on  the  opposite  bank.  Next  morning,  finding  the  place  de- 


IMPORTANCE  OF  LEESBUBGH.  75 

serted,  and  the  enemy  being  dislodged,  we  took  our  departure, 
without  damaging  the  village,  alth6ugh  both  officers  and  men 
were  sufficiently  incensed  to  have  burned  the  miserable  place 
to  the  ground. 

Excursions  of  this  nature  were  now  of  weekly  occurrence, 
but  we  were  not  made  acquainted  with  the  reasons  for  them. 
Only  we  knew  that  Evans  seemed  to  delight  in  keeping  his 
men  moving,  and  his  only  answer  to  the  remonstrances  of  sun- 
dry fat  old  officers,  who  did  not  much  relish  marching  and 
countermarching,  retreating  and  advancing,  was  to  swear 
roundly,  and  threaten  to  kick  them  out  of  his  office.  It  can- 
not be  denied  that  our  position  was  a  critical  one,  and  required 
great  caution.  The  enemy  at  length  became  aware  that  we  did 
not  meditate  crossing,  and  massed  their  troops  at  different 
points  to  dislodge  us,  if  possible,  from  the  fertile  region  of 
which  we  had  possessed  ourselves.  Banks  at  Harper's  Ferry, 
Geary  at  the  Sugar  Loaf  and  Point  of  Eocks,  Stone  at  Pooles- 
ville  and  Edwards's  Ferry,  were  encompassing  us  north  and 
east ;  McCall  was  at  Drainsville,  sixteen  miles  farther  east  on 
the  south  bank,  and  could  cut  off  our  retreat  across  Goose 
j8reek  to  the  south  by  a  bold  and  dashing  movement;  Centre- 
ville  and  Manassas  were  thirty  miles  distant,  and  from  the  state 
of  the  country  it  was  impossible  to  bring  up  supplies  or  receive 
reenforcements ;  yet  Evans  was  told  "  to  hold  the  place  at  all 
hazards;"  and  such  instructions  to  a  "fighting"  general  were 
likely  to  be  fulfilled  to  the  letter. 

The  possession  of  Leesburgh  was,  in  truth,  of  paramount  im- 
portance to  us.  It  was  populous  and  wealthy,  and,  withal,  situ- 
ated in  a  county  more  fruitful  in  supplies  than  any  other  in  the 
State.  The  people  of  Leesburgh  had  been  somewhat  disaffected 
to  our  cause,  but  that  had  all  passed,  and  now  none  were  more 
enthusiastic  for  independence.  The  rail  and  other  roads  from 
Washington  to  Winchester  ran  through  the  town,  and  should 
it  fall,  a  large  area  of  fruitful  country,  with  the  accumulated 
crops,  both  in  Loudon  and  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  would  fall 
into  Northern  hands — a  consummation  devoutly  wished  by 
the  Federals,  as  Maryland  was  incapable  of  supplying  their 
wants.  They  had,  moreover,  to  pay  for  what  they  got  from 
their  "  friends ;"  whereas  by  being  quartered  among  the  rebels, 


76  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

that  inconvenience  -would  be  spared  them,  and  a  vast  expense 
saved. 

Our  service  under  these  circumstances  was  exceedingly  irk- 
some. With  a  river  front  of  over  forty  miles  to  guard  against 
a  superior  force  and  a  multitude  of  spies,  the  utmost  vigilance 
and  self-denial  were  indispensable.  Our  videttes,  who  were 
young  and  inexperienced,  occasioned  much  annoyance  and  un- 
necessary marching,  and  such  was  our  "habitual  life  of  excite- 
ment that  we  could  not  call  a  single  hour  our  own.  Night 
and  day  reports  would  come  in  of  some  imaginary  "  advance" . 
or  "  crossing,"  and  whether  it  were  night  or  day,  fair  or  foul, 
we  marched  to  the  threatened  point,  to  find  our  suspicions 
groundless.  At  last,  Evans  vowed  in  his  wrath  to  hang  the 
first  man  that  brought  in  false  alarms,  and  the  officer  com- 
manding likewise,  for  permitting  it.  After  this  informal  order, 
\j«  were  much  relieved,  and  enjoyed  our  leisure  hours  as  best 
we  could  in  town  or  country.  For  once,  however,  the  cavalry 
were  correct  in  their  reports,  as  I  will  proceed  to  show. 

Some  o£  Geary's  men  at  Point  of  Rocks  were  in  the  habit 
of  crossing  the  river  in  large  boats,  and  despoiling  the  country ; 
besides  committing  all  manner  of  outrages  upon  unoffending 
women  and  children,  whose  fathers  or  brothers  were  in  the 
Southern  army,  and  not  unfrequently  burned  down  their 
houses.  A  company  of  foot  was  sent  up  to  watch  for  these 
marauders,  and  lay  perdu  in  the  woods  for  more  than  a  week 
without  success.  At  last  two  large  scows  were  seen  approach- 
ing, containing  more  than  a  hundrecf  individuals,  some  few 
being  renegades,  but  most  of  them  New-England  soldiers,  and 
all  well  armed.  Two  other  scows,  similarly  freighted,  were  de- 
scried crossing  at  a  point  higher  up  the  river. 

Both  landing-places  were  in  full  view  of  our  men,  who  waited 
until  the  .'greater  number  of  the  Federal  soldiers  had  departed 
on  their  shameful  errand,  when  the  guards  at  the  boats  were 
surrounded,  and  of  course  they  had  no  alternative  but  to  sur- 
render at  discretion.  The  prisoners  were  secured  in  the  woods, 
and  we  awaited  the  return  of  the  marauders.  After  a  few  hours, 
one  of  the  parties  approached  in  a  body,  well  laden,  and  observ- 
ing military  order  against  a  surprise.  Unconsciously,  they  ad- 
vanced within  our  ambuscade,  when  our  captain  stepped  for- 
ward, and  demanded  a  surrender.  He  was  answered  with  a 


CAPTURE  OF  MARAUDERS.  77 

volley,  but  before  they  could  reload,  every  man  of  them  -was 
weltering  in  his  blood,  dead  or  wounded. 

The  second  boat's  party,  who  were  approaching  by  the  same 
track,  heard  the  firing,  and  rushed  towards  the  landing-place ; 
our  heroes  fell  back  some  few  paces,  and  awaited  their  ap- 
proach. Having  to  pass  the  spot  where  their  companions  lay, 
they  halted  and  gazed  with  horror  on  the  destruction  before 
them.  But  at  the  same  moment  our  commander  called  upon 
them  to  surrender,  and  they  did  so.  The  dead  and  wounded 
were  then  placed  in  a  scow,  and  two  men,  paroled,  conveyed 
them  across. 

On  counting  over  our  spoil  it  was  found  that  we  had  captured 
in  this  little  affair  one  hundred  and  fifty  fine  English  rifles,  sixty 
revolvers,  six  swords,  and  over  one  hundred  prisoners,  besides 
having  killed  or  wounded  seventy-five  others.  We,  procured 
wagons  for  the  plunder  of  the  Yankees,  as  well  as  for  the  arms 
and  accoutrements,  and  marched  our  prisoners  to  town — the 
civilian  renegades  in  front.  Not  a  man  in  our  party  was  scratched 
in  this  encounter,  but  it  tended  to  embitter  the  feeling  between 
the  respective  pickets  on  the  river-bank,  and  the  firing  became 
incessant.  Indeed,  the  Yankees  brought  down  whole  regiments 
to  oppose  our  guards,  and  maintained  an  incessant  fusilade  from 
sunrise  till  dark.  Not  only  so,  but  field-pieces  were  brought  to 
bear  upon  every  tent  or  hut  within  range ;  and  several  poor 
farmers  and  laborers  were  unhoused.  "When  our  artillery  an- 
swered, they  invariably  retired,  and  at  last  mounted  some  heavy 
pieces  on  a  rising  ground  behind  Edwards's  Ferry,  and  inces- 
santly shelled,  in  the  vain  hope  of  destroying  Leesburgh,  which 
they  had  not  manhood  enough  to  attempt  to  take.  But  their 
firing  was  mere  waste  of  ammunition.  Their  numerous  shell, 
from  some  unknown  cause,  though  thrown  from  rifled  cannon 
of  the  very  best  quality,  always  fell  short  a  mile.  The  distance 
was  not  more  than  two  miles  and  a  half. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

* 

Fortifications  of  the  Enemy — General  Banks  at  Harper's  Ferry — Cavalry  Raids  and 
Picket  Guard  on  the  Upper  Potomac — The  little  Town  of  Waterford — Our  Scouts 
in  Maryland — Daring  of  Elijah  White — Capture  of  McClellan's  Orderlies. 

IT  now  appeared,  from  the  presence  of  large  bodies  of  the 
enemy  at  all  the  fords  of  the  river,  and  the  activity  they  dis- 
played in  fortifying  every  available  site,  that  McClellan  was 
determined  to  raise  an  impregnable  barrier  against  our  attempts 
upon  Maryland.  From  Washington  to  Harper's  Ferry  the  river- 
bank  seemed  to  be  one  vast  line  of  mud  forts  and  field-works, 
well  armed  and  guarded,  while  the  continual  ascent  of  smoke 
from  inland  camps  made  us  aware  that  large  bodies  of  troops 
were  waiting  orders.  Although  possessed  of  fine  sites  for  coun- 
ter-fortifications, General  Evans  never  essayed  to  build,  and  save 
one  small  field-work  that  crowned  a  rising  ground  midway  be- 
tween Edwards's  Ferry  and  Leesburgh,  and  our  own  invaluable 
bodies,  we  had  nothing  to  withstand  the  enemy's  approach. 
"  Don't  talk  to  me  of  earthworks,"  Evans  would  petulantly 
exclaim  ;  "  I  have  more  fortifications  now  than  I  can  well  arm  ; 
besides,  these  Mississippians  don't  want  to  commence  digging ; 
they  want  to  fight,  not  to  build.  As  long  as  I  have  such  a  bri- 
gade in  command,  I  can  safely  defy  all  that  old  Stone  can  do. 
In  fact,  if  I  had  but  two  or  three  more  regiments,  I  would  cross 
over  and  whip  the  rascals  out  of  Maryland." 

As  October  advanced,  it  became  apparent  that  the  enemy 
\rere  resolved  to  try  once  more  the  fortune  of  war.  McClellan's 
force  was  powerful,  highly  disciplined,  and  finely  appointed; 
and  the  clamors  of  the  press  seemed  to  indicate  that  public 
opinion,  would  precipitate  hostilities.  A  general  of  the  ranting, 
raving  type  of  Abolitionism  (N.  P.  Banks,  of  Massachusetts) 
commanded  Harper's  Ferry  and  the  whole  line  of  the  Upper 
Potomac,  and  it  was  confidently  expected  that  he  would  suc- 
ceed in  breaking  "  the  backbone  of  rebellion."  On  our  side,  to 


THE   LADIES  OF  WATERFOKD.  79 

watch  and  profit  by  the  false  moves  of  this  New-Englander, 
General  Turner  Ashby  and  his  cavalry  were  stationed  at  Charles- 
town,  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  and  kept  continually  hovering 
between  that  point  and  Harper's  Ferry,  intercepting  supplies, 
capturing  foraging  parties,  and  making  frequent  dashes  into  the 
enemy's  line,  and  even  occasionally  crossing  into  Maryland, 
burning  railroad  bridges,  and  destroying  the  Washington  and 
Ohio  Canal — one  of  the  chief  sources  of  Federal  supplies.  At 
the  same  time  Evans's  force  was  distributed  along  the  river,  and 
our  light  battery  was  continually  moving  from  point  to  point, 
shelling  the  enemy's  camps.  Occasionally  they  would  take  up 
a  favorable  position,  wait  for  the  military  train  at  Point  of 
Rocks,  and  destroy  a  locomotive  or  two ;  but  their  lavorite 
practice  was  firing  at  canal-boats  as  they  approached  Washing- 
ton with  supplies.  Confederate  forces  had  rendered  the  Lower 
Potomac  unnavigable  by  numerous  batteries  armed  with  Arm- 
strong and  Whitworth  guns,  and  we  endeavored  to  imitate  the 
example  by  stopping  all  traffic  on  the  north  banks  of  the  Upper 
Potomac.  These  incessant  demonstrations  and  the  raids  of 
Ashby's  cavalry  so  incensed  the  Federal  troops  that  they  swore 
eternal  enmity  against  every  Secessionist. 

Being  out  on  picket,  we  enjoyed  ourselves  amazingly  among 
the  farmers,  who  willingly  famished  all  things  needful,  and 
as  our  camps  were  near  the  little  town  of  Waterford,  many 
pleasant  hours  were  spent  'there  among  the  pretty  Quakeresses 
and  widows  —  the  latter  being  numerous  and  handsome. 
With  'their  little  town  of  one  street  screened  by  surrounding 
hills,  the  inhabitants  seemed  perfectly  happy  and  contented  : 
they  possessed  a  fine  mill,'  two  woollen  cloth  factories,  several 
tanneries ;  had  a  large  meeting-house,  two  small  chapels,  a 
newspaper,  and  excellent  grazing  land  all  around  them.  In 
general  aspect,  Waterford  looked  much  like  an  English  village, 
only  that  the  inhabitants  were  prouder  in  step,  wore  better 
clothes,  and  had  rosy,  well-cut  features  that  plainly  indicated 
the  best  of  "  blood."  A  large  number  of  the  men  had  de- 
camped into  Maryland;'  but  the  women,  Heaven  bless 
them  I  were  as  true  as  steel,  and  behaved  like  heroines  on  all 
occasions. 

From  deserters  and  intercepted  travellers  we  gleaned  particles 


80  "BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE   SOUTH. 

of  information  occasionally,  which  left  little  doubt  that  recent 
acts  of  boldness  were  but  forerunners  of  mischief,  and  every 
day  witnessed  greater  vigilance  and  caution  on  the  part  of 
officers.  The  more  distant  detachments  were  called  in,  and, 
save  a  picket  guard,  under  special  instructions,  our  whole  force 
fell  back  some  ten  miles  to  Goose  Creek,  at  which  point  all 
flanking  forces  from  Drainsville  must  of  necessity  make  their 
first  appearance.  This  was  a  ruse  designed  to  bewilder  the 
enemy,  who  were  accurately  informed  of  all  our  movements 
by  spies  among  the  townspeople  of  Leesburgh.  As  for  our 
men,  what  this  habitual  retreating  and  advancing  might  mean, 
none  could  tell — it  sufficed  that  Evans  ordered  it,  and  the  men 
obeyed  cheerfully,  although  frequently  compelled  to  march  in 
drenching  rains  and  impassable  mud.  In  order  to  be  posi- 
tively informed  of  the  enemy's  movements  and  intentions, 
several  .  Marylanders  in  our  commaiid  volunteered  to  cross 
the  river,  dodge  the  pickets,  and  push  into  the  interior  as 
far  as  Baltimore,  sixty  miles  distant.  The  most  remarkable 
of  these  daring  fellows,  Elijah  White,  was  a  rich  Maryland 
planter,  who  possessed  several  fine  plantations  around  Pooles- 
ville,  but  had  forsaken  all  and  joined  a  cavalry  company 
in  Loudon  County.  His  knowledge  of  localities  was  so 
perfect  that  he  was  the  acknowledged  authority  in  all  matters 
regarding  the  topography  of  the  country  from  Alexandria  to 
Harper's  Ferry.  He  frequently  swam  the  Potomac  at  different 
points,  and  knew  more  fords  in  it  than  any  octogenarian 
within  a  hundred  miles.  The  enemy  set  all  kinds  of  traps 
to  catch  him,  but  his  magnificent  grey  mare  had  such  speed 
and  endurance  that  he  passed  like  a  phantom  from  place  to 
place.  He  was  singularly  reserved  in  manner,  although  gay 
and  buoj^ant ;  and  there  can  hardly  be  a  doubt  that  the  master 
passion  furnished  a  chief  motive  for  his  frequent  wild  adven- 
tures. Be  that  as  it  may,  his  services  were  invaluable  in  times 
of  necessity,  and  his  daring  greatly  relieved  the  anxiety  of 
Evans,  for  whose  discomfiture  the  enemy  were  continually 
manoeuvring. 

We  had  pitched  tents  one  evening,  after  a  long  march  in 
the  cold  winds,  and  were  lying  down  for  a  smoke  on  a  bundle 
of  hay  by  the  camp-fire,  when  I  heard  the  jingling  of  spurs 
and  harness,  and  looking  up,  saw  White  on  his  grey  wearily 


A  GALLANT  TROOPER.  81 

ambling  by.  The  invitation  to  take  a  cup  of  bond  fide  coffee 
was  eagerly  accepted  by  my  old  acquaintance ;  and  his  mare 
having  been  well  provided  for  by  the  black  boy,  White  was 
so  charmed  with  the  savor  of  sundry  beefsteaks  broiling 
on  the  coals,  that  he  consented  to  take  up  his  quarters  with 
us  for  the  night.  With  a  circle  of  some  twenty  officers  and 
privates,  we  made  a  pleasant  party  round  the  immense  fire 
of  blazing  oak  logs.  Some  were  engaged  with  cards ;  others 
were  writing  letters;'  a  fiddle  was  not  far  distant,  with  a 
laughing  crowd  of  dancers  going  through  a  cotillion;  many 
were  cooking,  eating,  and  sleeping,  and  picket-guards  were 
going  out  on  duty.  "What's  the  news,  White?"  asked 
one.  "How's  all  the  girls  in  Maryland?"  chimed  in  an- 
other. "How  much  is  whiskey  worth  over  there,  Lige?" 
questioned  a  third ;  and  so  on. 

"I'm  mighty  tired,  boys,"  said  the  trooper,  smoking  and 
reclining,  "but  we  had  a  first-rate  time  of  it.  We  fooled 
the  Feds.,  as  usual,  and  had  a  jolly  old  spree  in  Baltimore ; 
danced  with  the  girls,  had  lots  of  tip-top  whiskey  and  cigars, 
and  brought  back  letters  for  the  fellows ;  went  wherever 
we  darned  please;  seized  two  of  McClellan's  orderlies  with 
despatches — found  them  in  bed  a  little  way  back — and  brought 
them  over  safely,  papers  and  all.  We  had  some  difficulty 
in  crossing  at  the  old  place ;  so  while  some  of  our  videttes 
were  fussing  about  and  attracting  attention,  four  of  us,  in 
Yankee  costume,  swam  our  horses,  and  soon  reaching  a 
friendly  house,  changed  clothes,  and  put  off  again,  for  we 
could  hear  the  Yanks  galloping  about  furiously  in  all  direc- 
tions. Our  boys  took  to  the  timber,  and  never  left  it  until 
within  thirty  miles  of  old  Baltimore. 

"  Talk  of  Maryland  being  sound  on  the  Union  question— 
'tis  all  bosh !  I've  lived  there  for  fifteen  years,  and  should 
know  something  about  it,  and  I'm  positive  that  ninety-nine 
out  of  every  hundred  are  true  Southerners,  if  they  only  had 
a  fair  chance  to  express  themselves.  <  The  truth  is,  boys, 
Maryland  waited  too  long,  and  lost  her  opportunity  to  declare 
for  secession.  She  was  waiting  till  Virginia  had  gone  out ; 
but  when  that  took  place  her  State  was  crowded  with  Federal 
hirelings,  and  having  neither  arms  nor  organization,  was 
obliged  to  submit  to  brute  force. 
6 


82  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

"  Freedom  of  speech,  indeed !  or  freedom  of  the  press ! — 
it  is  all  nonsense ;  none  dare  speak  openly,  and  should  the 
newspaper  editors  even  hint  at  Yankee  tyranny,  Fort  McIIenry 
is  assigned  them,  without  judge  or  jury.  As  for  habeas 
corpus !  —  that  is  a  thing  of  the  past.  While  I  was  in  the 
city,  the  members  of  the  Legislature  and  Senate  arrived,  and 
every  one  of  them  who  was  in  the  least  suspected  of  Southern 
feeling  was  waited  upon,  either  when  he  landed  from  the  car,  or 
at  his  hotel,  and,  without  the  slightest  explanation,  conducted 
to  the  dungeons  of  Fort  McIIenry  in  the  bay!  There  are 
fortifications  of  immense  strength  overlooking  the  city,  and 
every  gun  in  every  battery  is  shotted,  and  pointed  at  the  city  I 
As  the  tyrants  confess  with  a  laugh,  '  all  these  works  were 
raised,  not  to  protect  your  city,  but  to  destroy  and  lay  it  in  one 
indistinguishable  heap  of  ashes  should  the  slightest  indication 
of  a  revolt  betray  itself  I' 

"  And  they  claim  that  Mary  landers  are  loyal,  and  have  broth- 
erly love  for  them !  Yes,  as  much  love  as  the  lamb  bears  the 
wolf.  A  lady  cannot  walk  the  streets  in  a  dress  of  her  own' 
choice  without  its  being  noticed  and  commented  on  by  hun- 
dreds of  blue-coated  soldiers  or  spies  ;  and  should  she  wear  any 
colors  indicative  of  Southern  sentiment,  is  immediately  arrested 
and  insulted.  As  for  taking  'the  oath  of  allegiance/  so-called, 
thousands  have  done  so  from  sheer  necessity ;  but  they  do  not, 
and  will  not,  consider  themselves  bound  to  be  faithful  to  those 
who  have  proved  unfaithful  to  every  compact  and  every  instru- 
ment bequeathed  by  our  fathers.  And  they  are  right.  What 
can  the  thousands  of  Maryland  do?  Is  not  the  State  overrun 
by  all  the  villains  and  spies  the  North  can  control  or  hire  ? 
Were  they  to  rise,  like  raving,  unarmed  fools,  it  could  only  be 
to  be  mercilessly  butchered  by  trained  bands  of  hirelings  — the 
offscourings  of  the  earth !  Far  better  as  it  is,  to  play  the  hypo- 
crite with  hypocrites !  but  the  day  will  come  when  the  true  sen- 
timents of  Maryland  and  Kentucky  will  be  fully  known  ;  and 
when  their  fate  is  inseparably  linked  to  ours,  we  shall  be  prone 
to  pity  and  commiserate,  rather  than  revile  them  for  their  help- 
lessness." 

, "  Well,  Lige,  no  one  disputes  all  that.     We  know  that  old 
Maryland  is  '  sound '  enough,  and  has  two  or  three  full  regi- 


SECRET  UNDERSTANDING.  83 

ments  at  Manassas ;  but  take  a  drink  out  of  Tom's  canteen  — 
prime  old  rye,  too  —  and  go  on  with  your  trip,"  said  one. who 
was  yawning,  and  wanted  something  exciting  to  keep  him 
awake. 

"  Well,  boys,"  continued  Lige,  refilling  his  pipe,  "  one  of  my 
trips  is  much  like  another.  As  we  approached  Baltimore  I 
told  the  boys  we  had  better  separate,  and  meet  as  strangers  at 
one  of  the  hotels.  We  did  so,  and  as  the  guard  was  not  over- 
vigilant  around  or  in  town,  I  got  along  very  well,  and  met  sev- 
eral friends,  taking  good  care  to  avoid  any  I  suspected.  Having 
stabled  the  mare  at  an  out-of-the-way  place,  I  called  on  an  old 
friend,  and  was  surprised  to  find  him  giving  a  party  to  some 
dozen  Federals.  He  laughed,  and  introduced  me  as  a  friend 
from  New-York,  and,  before  long,  we  passed  the  bottle  freely, 
and  got  along  swimmingly.  I  bore  out  my  character  as  a  New- 
Yorker  admirably,  and  spoke  splendidly  about  the  '  Union,  one, 
and  forever,'  the  '  Old  Flag,'  and  a  hundred  other  bygone 
catch-lines ;  and  was  put  down  by  the  Yankees  as  '  a  regular 
brick.'  I  did  not  drink  much,  but  danced  with  the  girls,  ton- 
doled  with  them  on  the  trials  and  privations  of  the  times,  and 
procured  a  large  amount  of  information,  dropped,  in  scraps, 
from  the  half-intoxicated  Federals,  relative  tP  the  number  and 
disposition  of  troops  on  the  Upper  and  Lower  Potomac.  That 
night  I  slept  at  my  friend's  house. 

"  According  to  promise,  I  called  on  one  of  the  Federals  next 
morning,  and  as  he  was  officer  of  the  day,  we  walked  arm  in- 
arm over  the  fortifications,  every  thing  being  explained  to  me, 
and  by  well-put  questions  I  extracted  all  the  information  pos- 
sible, and  by  comparing  statements,  arrived  at  pretty  accurate 

facts  and  figures.  From  W I  obtained  the  '  sign '  and 

'countersign,'  by  which  regularly  initiated  Southerners  might 
detect  each  other,  and  by  this  means  spent  several  days  very 
agreeably  in  the  city.  I  was  surprised,  however,  to  find  so 
many  belonging  to  the  organization,  for  I  could  not  be  in  any 
assembly  long  ere  signs  were  exchanged,  and  I  have  not  un- 
frequently  heard  staunch  members  of  the  club  speaking  very 
loudly  in  favor  of  union  in  presence  of  the  Yankees,  when  at 
the  same  moment  signs  to  the  contrary  were  passed  between  us. 
They  manage  this  thing  well  in  Baltimore,  and  have  plenty  of 


84  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

funds  to  assist  our  needy  sympathizers  who  come  under  their 
notice.  Constant  correspondence  is  maintained  with  Eichmond, 
and  twice  a  week  despatches  are  sent  there  by  means  which  the 
Yankee  authorities  can  never  discover." 

"  How  about  the  ladies,  old  friend  ?" 

""Well,  you  may  laugh,  but  of  all  the  Mary  landers,  the 
women  are  the  most  ardent  and  open  in  the  expression  of  feel- 
ing. When  officers  ask  them  to  play  or  sing,  they  usually  com- 
ply by  performing  the  most  rebellious  kinds  of  music,  in  the 
most  modest  and  artless  manner,  causing  the  visitors  to  sit 
uneasy  in  their  seats,  and  look  very  serio-comic.  Not  that  such 
things  can  always  be  done  with  impunity ;  for  I  know  some, 
and  have  heard  of  other  instances,  where  our  female  friends 
have  been  put  into  jail  for  speaking  or  singing  seditious  senti- 
ments, or  for  causing  excitement  by  wearing  party  colors.  As 
for  the  Baltimore  theatres,  they  are  controlled  by  the  Federal 
authority,  and  are  nightly  crowded  by  soldiers,  who  sit  hour 
after  hour  applauding  clap-trap  pieces,  in  which  Union  sol- 
diers accomplish  miracles  of  heroism ;  or,  if  they  die,  it  is  with 
the  Stars  and  Stripes  wrapped  around  them,  and  with  a  great 
flourish  of  trumpets." 

A  burst  of  derisive  laughter  gave  the  trooper,  who  was  grow- 
ing eloquent  with  his  subject,  time  to  take  breath,  when  he  con- 
tinued : 

"It  strikes  me,  boys,  that  the  Yankee  proper  may  be  truth- 
fully termed  a  theatrical  and  imaginative  being,  and  be  wrought 
upon  by  '  effect '  more  than  the  French,  even,  .whom  they  en- 
deavor to  ape  in  matters  of  taste.  From  childhood  they  are 
supplied  with  a  multitude  of  books  of  equivocal  taste  and 
morality  ;  their  historians  are  partial ;  their  swarms  of  novel- 
ists are  persons  of  fervid  imaginations,  reared  in  all  the  forms 
of  atheism,  millerism,  free-love,  and  spiritualism ;  most  decid- 
edly are  unreal  in  all  things,  save  what  pertains  to  the  almighty 
dollar ;  but  in  that  they  are  enthusiastic  cheats,  and  worship  the 
golden  calf  with  more  devotion  than  the  Jews.  Their  theatres 
everywhere,  as  well  as  Baltimore,  are  the  public  expounders  of 
prejudice  and  bad  taste.  Until  of  late  all  battle-pieces  had  for 
subject  the  wars  with  Great  Britain,  and  we  know  that  one 
Yankee  was  always  considered  equal  to  a  dozen  Britishers,  and 


THE  NORTHERN  THEATRES.          ,    85 

on  the  stage,  like  Samson,  they  slew  their  thousands  with  loud 
applause,  and  ended  with  a  large  expenditure  of  '  blue  fire,'  a 
waving  of  banners,  and  the  stereotyped  finale  of  '  Hail  Colum- 
bia '  or  '  Yankee  Doodle.'  This  theatrical  taste  was  well  de- 
veloped at  Manassas.  Orators  first  addressed  the  troops,  music 
took  up  the  theme,  and  with  waving  banners  they  marched  to 
battle,  and,  with  few  exceptions,  '  bolted '  at  the  first  fire.  There 
was  plenty  of  shouting,  indeed,  when  out  of  danger ;  but  though 
their  best  regiments  cheered  till  nearly  hoarse — though  the  '  old 
flag '  was  shaken  out  to  the  winds,  and  '  Yankee  Doodle  '  broke 
upon  their  ear  in  brilliant  variations  —  nothing  could  induce 
their  red-legged  desperadoes  to  advance  a  second  time  to  encoun- 
ter our  '  ragged  rebels.'  History  has  not  been  just  to  the  North, 
whose  merchants  have  become  princes  on  the  products  of  the 
South,  and  whose  books  have  been  volumes  of  lies." 

"That  is  all  very  good,  White,"  broke  in  a  fat  old  captain; 
"  but  go  on  with  the  narrative ;  '  taps '  will  sound  presently, 
and  I  must  be  off  to  my  guard." 

"  When  our  party  had  sufficiently  enjoyed  themselves,  and 
effected  the  purposes  intended,  we  met  and  devised  plans  for 
the  return.  From  the  information  of  a  trusty  friend,  it  was 
deemed  advisable  to  be  extremely  cautious,  as  every  thing  on 
the  Upper  Potomac  indicated  movements  of  importance,  and 
the  different  fords  were  doubly  guarded.  General  Baker,  Lin- 
coln's right-hand  man,  had  been  in  secret  conference  with  the 
authorities  for  several  days,  and  in  private  circles  bragged  of 
what  he  was  going  to  do.  He  was  not  going  into  winter  quar- 
ters until  the  vile  *  ragged  rebels '  were  driven  from  his  front, 
and  he  did  so  on  secession  soil,  and  at  rebel  expense,  etc. 
Knowing  that  General  Baker  was  acting  in  conjunction  with 
Stone,  at  Poolesville,  there  could  be  little  reason  to  doubt  after 
this  from  what  quarter  the  blow  was  likely  to  fall  upon  us,  so 
we  hastened  back  again  as  speedily  as  possible. 

"  The  nearer  we  approached  the  river,  the  more  difficult  it 
was  to  proceed.  The  Yankees  had  so  many  men  lying  along 
the  main  roads,  that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  travel.  We 
picketed  our  horses  in  the  woods  when  near  Poolesville,  and 
held  a  council  of  war.  I  proposed  to  procure  the  countersign 
by  stratagem,  if  possible,  and  go  into  Poolesville.  The  rest  of 


86         ,  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE   SOUTH. 

the  party  vehemently  dissented  from  such  an  adventure,  but 
promised  to  stay  at  the  house  of  a  friend  till  my  return.  Hav- 
ing resumed  my  Federal  uniform,  I  proceeded  cautiously  along 
the  road,  and  at  length  came  within  view  of  picket-guards 
round  a  fire,  at  the  fork  of  the  road,  which  compelled  me  to 
halt.  Hitching  the  grey  in  the  woods,  I  now  proceeded  on 
foot,  and  crept  among  the  brushwood  until  within  thirty  paces 
of  the  nearest  guard.  There  I  lay  for  an  hour  or  more,  until 
some  one  approached,  and  I  faintly  heard  the  countersign  of 
'  Bunker  Hill '  given,  and  being  satisfied,  cautiously  returned, 
mounted  the  mare,  and  galloped  along  the  road,  roaring  the 
Star- Spangled  Banner. 

"  '  Halt! '  shouted  the  picket,  as  I  unceremoniously  approach- 
ed. 'Who  comes  there?'  'A  friend  with  the  countersign,' I 
answered,  hiccuping,  and  pretended  to  reel  in  the  saddle.  '  Ad- 
vance, friend,  and  give  the  countersign,' replied  the  Yankee 
with  a  laugh,  for,  thinking  me  an  officer  returning  from  a  jolli- 
fication, he  scarcely  noticed  the  countersign.  Passing  along  I 
could  not  help  lingering  near  my  old  plantations ;  regiments  of 
New-Englanders  were  camped  upon  them,  my  woods,  fences, 
and  barns  were  all  destroyed,  and  they  had  converted  the  dwell- 
ings into  guard-houses,  where  dozens  of  Dutch  and  Irish  were 
howling  in. intoxication.  Possessed  of  the  countersign,  I  found 
no  difficulty  in  passing  from  place  to  place,  and  enjoyed  my- 
self until*  midnight  with  a  lot  of  officers  who  were  bent  on  a 
drinking  bout.  And  now  comes  the  most  important  part  of 
my  story. 

"  One  of  these  men  had  brought  important  despatches  from 
McClellan,  and  was  to  return  before  sunrise.  'But,'  said  he, 
4  if  they  think  I'm  going  to  travel  thirty  miles  again  to-night, 
Stone  is  much  mistaken.  I  shall  just  go  out  of  town,  .and  put 

up  at  P 's  for  the  night ;  what  say  you,  Smidt  ?'  said  he  to 

another  aide.  'You  are  not  going  on  with  your  papers  to 
Banks  to  night,  eh  ?  They'll  keep,  man,,  they  an't  important, 
so  let's  make  a  night  of  it,  and  put  in  an  excuse  of  lame 
horses ! '  Both  agreed  to  the  plan,  and  about  an  hour  after- 
wards proceeded  on  their  way  together.  I  knew  P 's  plan- 
tation very  well,  and  resolved  that  both  their  persons  and  pa- 
pers should  visit  this  side  of  the  river,  and  immediately  started 


CAPTUKE-OF  ORDERLIES.  87 

t 

for  ray  party,  with  a  view^  to  the  accomplishment  of  my 
project. 

"  Having  watched  in  which  room  these  worthies  were  dom- 
iciled, we  lay  in  wait  some  time,  and  then,  resolved  to  com- 
mence action,  by  separating  them,  I  rode  up  to  the  house',  and 
inquired  '  if  Captain  Smidt  was  there ;  I  had  been  told  he  was, 
and  had  been  sent  by  General  Stone  to  call  him  immediately.' 
Smidt  soon  made  his  appearance,  cursing  and  swearing  in 
everry  dialect  of  Dutch  and  English.  '  Some  cot  dem  tyful  hat 
watched  him,  sure,  unt  he  was  a  gone  schicken,  else  how  old 
Shstone  know  him  not  gone  ?  '  While  I  condoled  with  Smidt, 
he  was  seized  and  secured  without  a  show  of  resistance.  We 

then  waited  a  short  time  until  P was  about  to  blow  out 

the  candle,  when  I  knocked  again.  He  was  in  a  terrible  tem- 
per, and  having  shoved  the  candlestick  close  to  my  face  to  see 
who  it  was,  almost  staggered  with  astonishment.  Seeing  that 
he  recognized  me,  I  presented  a  revolver  at  his  head,  and  plac- 
ing a  finger  on  my  lip,  passed  in,  leaving  a  companion  to  stand 
guard  over  him,  while  I  went  up  stairs. 

"I  knocked  at  the  door  of  Smidt'e  room:  his  companion 
answered  me,  and  I  entered.  He  was  surprised,  but  glad  to 
see  me.  My  remark,  that  '  I  had  heard  him  state  his  intention 

to  stay  at  P 's  all  night,  when  in  the  tavern,  and  thought 

I'd  follow  suit,  intending  to  go  on  and  join  my  regiment  in  the 
morning,'  was  quite  satisfactory.  After  smoking  and  partak- 
ing of  some  brandy  I  had  with  me,  we  talked  for  a  long  time 
on  the  subject  of  arms  and  accoutrements.  He  had  a  magnifi- 
cent pair  of  Colt's  navy  revolvers,  and  it  was  my  ambition  to  ef- 
fect his  capture  without  bloodshed.  I  handed  over  for  inspec- 
tion an  Adams's  self-cocker,  (unloaded,)  and  he  pushed  across 
the  table  his  loaded  weapons.  I  fingered  them  coolly  for  sev- 
eral minutes,  and  with  apparent  thoughtlessness  cocked  them 
both.  Then  suddenly  presented  them  at  his  head,  informed 
him  who  I  was,  and  commanded  him  to  dress  immediately  and 
follow  me;  'resistance  is  useless,'  I  remarked:  'the  house  is 
surrounded.'  Deadly  pale  and  almost  paralyzed,  the  aide  dress- 
ed and  was  conducted  to  his  horse.  We  started  off  without  a 
whisper,  and  soon  arrived  at  the  spot  where  Smidt  was  guarded 
by  my  companions. 

During  my  absence  the  boys  had  gagged  him,  to  stop  his 


88  BATTLE-FIELDS  OR  THE  SOUTH. 

eternal  prattle  ;  and  when  he  recognized  his  companion  hand- 
cuffed, I  thought  his  hair  would  stand  on  end  with  astonish- 
ment !  With  our  prisoners  in  the  centre,  we  briskly  trotted 
along  t"her  bright  moonlit  road,  and  ere  long  caught  a  distant 
view  of  our  camp-fires  in  Old  Virginia.  The  river,  we  knew, 
was  well  guarded,  at  nearly  all  points  ;  hence,  for  the  sake  of 
caution,  we  stole  through  the  woods  and  formed  our  plans.  It 
was  resolved  that  two  of  our  party  should  advance  boldly  to 
the  river,  give  the  countersign,  and  inform  the  picket  that  they 
had  volunteered  to  cross  into  Virginia  to  reconnoitre.  This 
news  would  spread  up  and  down  the  bank,  and  the  mounted 
men  especially  would  feel  anxious  to  converse  with  their  com- 
rades and  attend  little  to  their  posts  for  a  while.  The  ruse 
answered  admirably ;  and  when  I  saw  one  particular  spot  de- 
serted, our  party  issued  from  the  wood  and  swam  their  horses 
across.  No  resistance  was  offered  by  our  prisoners  ;  we  had 
explained  to  them  the  importance  of  silence  and  obedience, 
and  our  revolvers  were  always  pointed  to  enforce  submission. 
Scarcely  had  we  crossed  *  when,  in  the  distance,  we  saw  two 
squadrons  of  the  enemy,  dashing  along  the  bank.  'Twas  lucky 

we  had  used  all  expedition,  as  some  darkies  at  P 's  must 

have  informed  on  us.  As  I  stood  in  a  thicket  listening  to  their 
angry  conversation,  I  could  not  help  laughing  heartily  at  their 
annoyance,  and  they  must  have  heard  it ;  for  I  heard  one  say, 
'  That's  him  ;  I  know  his  voice,  major! '  'That you,  White?  ' 
'Yes,  that's  me;  how  are  you,  major?  Pine  night,  isn't  it?  I 
shall  give  you  another  call  shortly  ?'  I  could  scarcely  get  out 
of  the  way  before  a  perfect  shower  of  shot  was  dropping  all 
around  me.  I  cantered  to  town  ;  and  here  I  am." 

At  the  conclusi6n  of  White's  story,  we  made  some  hot 
punch,  as  best  we  could,  and  wrapping  coats  and  blankets 
around  us,  lay  beside  the  expiring  camp-fire,  and  were  soon 
fast  asleep. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Position  at  Manassas — Ashby  at  Harper's  Ferry — His  Preparations  for  Attack — 
Our  Artillery  co-operate — Incidents  of  the  Fight — General  McCall  leaves 
Drainsville,  and  threatens  our  Retreat — Our  alarming  Position — To  Goose 
Creek  and  back  again. 

DURING  the  month  of  October  there  was  no  change  in  affairs 
at  Manassas  or  Centreville.  At  the  latter  place,  fortifications 
had  been  erected  under  the  superintendence  of  Generals  Gusta- 
vus  Smith  and  Beauregard,  and  were  generally  considered  to 
be  impregnable.  Our  pickets  were  at  Fairfax  Court-House,  but 
the  Yankees  were  in  winter  charters  to  the  front,  and  could 
not  be  coaxed  to  advance.  Active  movements  were  on  foot, 
however,  at  Harper's  Ferry,  and  General  Banks  had  pushed  his 
outposts  several  miles  up  the  Valley.  Ashby,  with  his  cavalry, 
whose  daring  raids  I  have  mentioned,  grew  bolder  every  day, 
and  solicited  reenforcements.  These  were  not  granted  him,  the 
authorities  perhaps  judging  it  prudent  not  to  fight,  although 
the  gallant  trooper  swore  roundly  that  he  would  do  so. 

Collecting  every  available  man,  he  made  a  vow  to  drive  the 
foe  from  their  intrenchments  into  Maryland  ;  and  for  this  pur- 
pose procured  two  or  three  light  field  guns,  and  an  old  twenty- 
four  pound  smooth-bore ;  the  latter  he  ingeniously  contrived  to 
mount  on  the  axles  of  a  wagon.  With  his  regiment  of  cavalry, 
and  several  hundred  militia,  Ashby  gradually  approached  Har- 
per's Ferry,  and  sent  a  courier  to  Evans,  asking  him  to  co-oper- 
ate. Our  commander  had  no  orders  to  leave  Loudon  County, 
and  it  would  have  been  certain  destruction  to  detach  any  con- 
siderable portion  of  his  command,  although  he  ardently  admired 
Ashby's  bravery,  and  yearned  to  assist  him.  Knowing  him  to 
be  weak  in  artillery,  Evans  gave  permission  for  two  of  our 
pieces  to  march  to  his  assistance,  ascend  the  Loudon  Heights, 
and  annoy  the  enemy's  rear  when  marching  out  to  attack 


90  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE   SOUTH. 

Ashby,  to  destroy  the  mills,  storehouses,  bridges,  etc.,  around 
the  Ferry  as  far  as  practicable,  but  by  no  means  to  leave  the 
heights  and  descend  into  the  valley.  Four  companies  61  our 
regiment  accompanied  the  guns  and  started  towards  Harper's 
Ferry  at  three  A  M.,  October  thirteenth,  1861,  and  camped 
within  two  miles  of  the  place  at  sundown. 

At  four  A.M.  next  morning,  we  cautiously  took  up  the  line 
of  march",  and  when  within  a  mile  of  the  Ferry  abruptly  left 
the  main  road  and  approached  the  Loudon  Heights.  We  could 
distinctly  see  the  tall  bold  rocks  at  Harper's  Ferry,  encircled  by 
mists  and  clouds;  and  as  we  journeyed  quietly  through  the 
forest  and  ascended  the  steep  wood-covered  mountains,  the  sun 
rose,  revealing  the  Potomac  swiftly  flowing  through  the  natural 
flood-gates  I  have  elsewhere  described,  with  here  and  there  a 
white  dwelling  of  the  town  sleeping  in  the  quiet  morning  air, 
at  the  base  of  the  gigantic  rocks  which  overhang  the  Ferry. 
"With  excessive  labor  we  pulled  the  pieces  up  the  face  of  the 
hill,  and  had  them  in  an  ambushed  position  overlooking  the 
town  long  before  the  enemy  had  sounded  reveille. 

The  camps  of  the  foe  in  Maryland  and  about  Harper's  Ferry 
were  distinctly  seen ;  various  trenches,  forts,  and  earthworks 
looking  towards  Charlestown,  were  counted  and  examined  with 
glasses;  the  whole  panorama  of  the  Shenandoah  Valley  lay 
several  hundred  feet  below  us,  while  on  every  road  leading  to 
and  from  the  Ferry  we  saw  numerous  picket-fires  and  videttes. 
There  was  no  sign  of  Ashby  or  his  command  :  but  when  the 
mists  of  morning  cleared  away,  and  the  distant  woods  towards 
Charlestown  were  visible,  small  faint  columns  of  smoke  indi- 
cated where  his  forces  lay  along  the  Bolivar  road.  At  the  base 
of  the  hill  on  which  we  were,  the  Shenandoah  ran  on  its  course 
to  the  Potomac,  a  mile  northward  at  the  foot  of  the  town,  so 
that  on  the  north  and  "east  two  different  rivers  ran  winding 
through  the  landscape,  while  beyond  the  first-named  stream  in 
the  valley  lay  the  picturesque  village  of  Bolivar,  where  the 
commandant  of  the  post,  chiefs  of  arms,  factories,  and  merchants 
delighted  to  dwell  in  the  peculation  times  of  the  old  Govern- 
ment. The  chief  buildings  were  now  converted  into  barracks 
and  storehouses,  establishments  that  Ashby  had  long  beheld 
with  a  jealous  and  covetous  eve. 


ASHBY'S  CAVALBY.  91 

,  About  seven  A.M.,  I  observed  several  horsemen  dash  from 
the  distant  woods  and  approach  Bolivar  in  great  haste.  The 
drums  began  to  beat  very  wildly.  Shortly  afterwards  clouds 
of  dust  indicated  Ashby's  approach.  At  eight  A.M.  to  a  minute 
he  halted  on  the  Bolivar  road  and  fired  a  shot  at  the  infantry 
barracks :  this  was  a  signal  to  us ;  we  hoisted  a  red  flag,  and 
two  shots  answered  that  all  was  right.  The  enemy  were  not 
long  in  assembling,  and  could  be  seen  swarming  into  their  field- 
works  and  rifle-pits.  Skirmishers  were  sent  out  by  both  parties, 
and  little  puffs  of  smoke  and  faint  reports  told  that  they  were 
hotly  engaged.  Banks  did  not  seem  inclined  to  leave  his  forti- 
fications, yet  to  draw  Ashby  forward  sent  out  two  regiments  as 
decoys ;  they  were  saluted  with  round  shot  and  shell,  and, 
quickly  turning,  fled  to  the  woods  south-west  of  Bolivar,  where 
again  volleys  saluted  them,  and  a  squadron  of  cavalry  dashing 
forward  on  their  flank  cut  down-  many  and  dispersed  the  rest  in 
wild  confusion. 

Ashby  now  advanced  several  hundred  yards  nearer,  and  the 
foe  brought  forward  field-pieces  and  fresh  regiments  to  oppose 
him.  While  this  was  progressing  our  artillerists  had  taken 
accurate  range  of  the  chief  storehouse,  mills,  and  other  build- 
ings, and  began  to  shell  them.  This  unexpected  assault  seemed 
to  discomfit  the  enemy  within  the  town  and  suburbs,  and 
although  they  endeavored  to  save  their  stores,  most  of  them 
were  fired,  and  the  buildings  destroyed.  Had  they  ascended 
the  Maryland  Heights  (not  more  than  half  a  mile  across  the 
Potomac)  our  position  would  have  proved  untenable,  for  they 
were  much  higher  than  those  of  Loudon,  on  which  we  were 
posted.  Failing  this,  our  cannonade  was  maintained  with  great 
vigor ;  and  when  fresh  parties  of  the  enemy  began  to  cross 
from  Maryland  in  flats,  a  few  shell  were  directed  towards  them 
with  decided  effect.  At  length  the  Federals  advance  in  line  of 
battle ;  and  Ashby,  having  sent  his  militia  to  meet  them,  the 
latter,  at  the  first  fire,  broke  and  fled.  The  Yankees  seeing 
this,  gave  a  tremendous  cheer,  and  ran  forward  with  the 
bayonet,  but  in  broken  lines;  and  as  they  advanced,  towards 
the  woods,  a  regiment  of  cavalry,  who  were  concealed  ready 
for  the  opportunity,  dashed  in  amongst  them,  and  in  a  few 
moments  were  pistoling  the  foe  and  slashing  them  awkwardly 


92  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH'. 

with,  their  sabres.  But  the  cavalry  attack  was  made  in  great 
confusion,  and  most  of  the  enemy  effected  their  escape  by  run- 
ning into  a  large  fortified  house  used  for  barracks  in  Bolivar. 
Ashby  observed  this  place,  and  stealing  along  the  road  with 
his  twenty-four-pounder  on  wagon-axles,  directed  a  few  well- 
aimed  shells  at  it,  broke  the  walls,  blew  off  the  roof,  and  the 
refugees  were  glad  io  make  for  their  nearest  lines. 

This  unsatisfactory  style  of  fighting  was  maintained  with 
fluctuating  success  until  noon,  when  a  courier  swam  the  Shen- 
andoah,  ascended  the  mountains,  and  begged  our  colonel  to 
bring  his  force  into  the  valley,  and  assail  the  enemy  on  the 
right,  while  he  pushed  the  centre.  Against  this,  it  will  be 
remembered  he  had  received  the  strictest  orders ;  and  although 
the  men  crowded  round  him,  and  begged  to  be  led  against  the 
enemy,  the  colonel  was  compelled  to  refuse.  The  cannonade 
was  then  renewed  with  great  "fury  by  either  party,  and  many 
shell  came  screaming  over  the  heights  on  which  we  stood,  but 
did  no  harm.  Ashby,  seeing  that  he  was  greatly  outnumbered, 
and  that  the  enemy  were  endeavoring* to  surround  him,  used 
his  field-pieces  with  such  destructive  effect  as  to  hold  them  in 
check  while  he  drew  off  his  small  force  to  a  better  position. 
The  militia  by  this  time  had  become  accustomed  to  the  fight,  and, 
gallantly  advancing,  repulsed  the  enemy ;  while  Ashby,  con- 
spicuous on  a  white  horse,  led  on  the  cavalry,  and  made  several 
brilliant  charges.  Having  effected  his  main  object,  namely, 
the  destruction  of  the  mills,  storehouses,  and  bridges  of  Har- 
per's Ferry,  he  retired  towards  Charlestown,  with  several 
hundred  stand  of  arms,  some  prisoners,  much  ammunition,  and 
quantities  of  stores,  which  had  been  seized  by  his  troopers  at 
unprotected  points  while  the  fight  was  raging.  As  he  retired 
behind  the  woods,  scouts  came  in  and  reported  the  enemy  en- 
deavoring to  cut  'off  our  retreat ;  but  by  expedition  and  coolness 
we  soon  descended  the  mountains,  and  reaching  -the  main  road, 
occupied  the  point  crossing  a  hill,  and  placed  our  pieces  in 
position,  ready  for  a  determined  stand.  The  enemy  perceived 
that  we  had  taken  up  a  strong  position,  and  over-estimating 
our  force,  retired  without  firing  a  shot. 

While  bivouacked  that  night,  a  courier  came  dashing  towards 
us,  and  brought  the  stirring  news  that  McCall,  with  a  heavy 


BROKEN  REST.  93 

force,  was  marching  from  Drainsville  to  cut  off  Evans  at  Lees- 
burgh.  The  latter,  therefore,  had  hastily  retreated  to  Goose 
Creek,  ten  miles  nearer  Centreville,  and  we  were  ordered  to 
follow  in  his  track,  and  if  the  enemy  had  really  entered  the 
town,  a  courier  would  inform  us  of  it  on  the  road,  and  give 
time  to  branch  off  towards  Winchester,  to  get  under  the  pro- 
tection of  Ashby.  This  indeed  was  startling  news.  The  men 
had  travelled  much,  and  were  excessively  weary.  The  colonel 
decided  not  to  call  them  up  for  a  few  hours,  but  give  them  rest. 
Towards  twilight  all  were  quietly  awakened  and  informed  of 
the  state  of  things ;  the  men  good-humoredly  arriving  at  the 
conclusion  that  we  had  better  "  up  stakes  and  dust "  out  of  the 
neighborhood  in  "  a  mighty  big  hurry."  Our  wagons  were 
sent  out  of  the  way  by  a  road  leading  south-east,  with  directions 
to  halt  at  a  certain  point  for  further  orders.  We  marched 
through  Hillsborough  like  shadows — all  were  in  bed  and  not  a 
dog  barked — and  continued  at  a  great  pace  towards  Leesburgh. 
Towards  evening  we  halted  on  a  large  hill  overlooking  the 
town,  and  received  orders  to  keep  to  the  woods  and  proceed  on 
to  our  brigade  at  Goose  Creek.  .  The  rain  fell  in  torrents,  and 
the  roads  were  awful,  as  all  roads  in  Virginia  are  at  this  season. 
When  within  a  mile  of  the  creek,  a  courier  brought  orders  to 
halt  for  the  night,  and  proceed  to  Leesburgh  at  break  of  day. 
With  much  swearing  and  grumbling  at  Evans's  idea  of  strategy, 
the  order  was  obeyed,  and  shoeless,  foot-sore,  and  dirty,  we 
pitched  tents  on  our  old  camping-ground,  one  of  the  companies 
being  detailed  to  hold  the  mudwork  on  the  hill,  towards 
Edwards's  Ferry,  called  by  the  dignified  term  of  "  Fort  Evans," 
though  it  had  no  guns,  and  was  not  pierced  for  any.  This 
company,  together  with  the  other  three,  detailed  men  to  picket 
at  the  river  as  usual,  and  were  instructed  to  wait  until  further 
orders. 


CHAPTER  XL     - 

What  the  Enemy  did  when  our  Forces  had  left  Leesburgh — Plots  of  Union  Traitors 
during  our  Absence — Threatened  Approach  of  the  Enemy  from  Drainsville  upon 
our  Right  Flank — We  march  out  to  the  Attack,  Sunday,  October  twentieth — 
Capture  of  a  Federal  Courier — The  Ruse  Discovered — Plans  of  Stone,  Baker,  and 
Banks — Countermarch  to  the  Ferry  Road — Watching  the  River — Shell-firing  by 
the  Enemy— The  Enemy  cross  in  Force  at  Ball's  Bluff.on  Sunday  Night,  and  at 
Edwards's  Ferry,  Goose  Creek,  and  other  Passages  on  Monday  Morning — Details 
of  the  Battle  of  Leesburgh — General  Baker  Killed — Colonel  Coggswell,  with  eight 
hundred  Men  taken  Prisoners — Great  Slaughter — Victory  of  the  Confederate 
Forces — Retreat  of  the  Enemy  to  Maryland — Our  Reenforcements  arrive. 

WHILE  our  brigade  was  away  from  Leesburgh,  and  pickets 
were  no  longer  at  the  river,  many  negroes'  crossed  the  stream, 
and  informed  the  Yankees  of  our  whereabouts.  Several  Union- 
ists, also,  had  conferred  with  their  friends,  and  every  acre  of  the 
vicinity  had  been  accurately  mapped  out  by  their  engineers. 
We  had  long  suspected  old  farmer  Trunnell  of  treachery — his 
only  son  had  joined  the  Northern  army,  and  was  a  brigade  com- 
missary in  it.  It  was  to  his  knowledge  of  localities  that  the 
Yankees  chiefly  trusted  when  placing  their  batteries,  and  he 
had  often  been  seen  directing  artillerists  in.  their  efforts  to  shell 
the  town.  His  father  was  extremely  wealthy,  and  had  an  ex- 
tensive plantation  near  the  river,  adjacent  to  Ball's  Bluff.  He 
had  large  dealings  with  our  army,  and  was  paid  thousands  of 
dollars  for  supplies.  His  negroes  frequently  ran  away  to  Mary- 
land, but  invariably  returned  after  a  few  days'  absence ;  a  cir- 
cumstance which  rendered  it  highly  probable  that  the  old  man 
corresponded  with  his  son.  He  himself  and  his  whole  house- 
hold were  peculiarly  insulting  to  our  soldiers,  and  I  myself 
have  frequently  seen  signal  lights  at  his  house  answered  from 
the  hills  in  Maryland.  Yet  he  lived  undisturbed  in  his  home- 
stead, and  was  neither  insulted  nor  annoyed  by  any  one. 

Our  return  to  Leesburgh  caused  some  speculation,  but  the 
answer  to  all  inquiries  was,  that  "  we  were  to  hold  the  place 


RETURN  TO  LEESBURGH.  95 

until  the  enemy  appeared,  and  then  retire."  Unlocked  for  by 
any,  the  remainder  of  our  brigade  marched  into  town  late  on 
Saturday  evening,  and  pitched  tents  in  the  accustomed  place. 
Having  had  but  little  rest  during  the  past  week,  I  congratulated 
myself  on  the  prospect  of  a  long  nap  now  that  our  whole  force 
was  come  to  relieve  us ;  but  it  fell  to  my  lot  to  be  ordered  on 
guard,  and  we  made  ourselves  as  comfortable  as  possible  round 
a  camp-fire,  little  dreaming  of  the  stirring  events  in'  which  we 
were  about  to  act  a  principal  part. 

One  company  of  the  Thirteenth  Mississippi  had  been  detailed 
to  picket  the  river  on  our  left  from  Carter's  Ferry  to  the  head 
of  Harrison's  Island;  one  of  the  Seventeenth  picketed  to 
Edwarcls's  Ferry  on  our  right ;  horse  pickets  were  on  duty  still 
lower  down  the  river,  watching  the. ferry,  where  Goose  Creek 
flows  into  the  Potomac ;  another  company  of  horse  were  watch- 
ing Goose  Creek  bridge  and  the  Drainsville  road  on  our  right 
flank  and  rear ;  a  company  of  horse  were  also  on  our  extreme 
left  up  the  river,  and  one  of  the  Eighteenth  Mississippi  occupied 
Fort  Evans  midway  between  the  river  and  town.  This  was  our. 
disposition  on  Saturday  night,  October  twentieth.  Our  active 
lieutenant-colonel  had  gone  out  to  examine  the  posts  along  the 
river,  but  had  not  visited  the  woods  around  Ball's  Bluff.  It 
was  a  wild  desolate  place,  and  the  guards  disliked  duty  in  the 
neighborhood.  The  Bluff  so  called  was  about  thirty  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  river,  and  not  more  than  one  hundred  yards 
from  Harrison's  Island,  the  level  of  which  was  some  twenty-five 
feet  lower  than  the  Bluff.  The  island,  however,  was  fringed 
with  timber,  and  could  conceal  thousands  of  men.  little  notice 
had  been  taken  of  this  cheerless  looking  place,  and  few  guards 
of  either  party  were  seen  in  its  vicinity,  although  the  island  was 
in  undisputed  possession  of  the  enemy.  It  was  at  this  point 
that  the .  enemy's  spies  and  engineers  had  crossed  a,  few  days 
previously,  and  seeing  only  a  few  tents  on  the  outskirts  of  Lees- 
burgh,  had  reported  that  three  companies  held  the  town. 

About  three  A.M.,  Sunday  morning,  our  lieutenant-colonel 
rode  into  camp  hastily,  and  in  a  few  minutes  every  man  was 
under  arms;  tents  disappeared  without  noise,  and  we  w$re 
drawn  up  in  line  of  battle.  We  knew  not  what  to  surmise, 
unless  another  retreat  was  contemplated — perhaps  to  Goose 


96  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

Creek,  through  mud,  two  or  three  feet  deep,  as  usual !  The 
doubt  was  soon  resolved.  Evans  and  his  staff  were  seen  ap- 
proaching through  a  dense  mist,  and  our  men  being  formed  in 
columns  of  division  at  half  distance,  the  old  gentleman  addressed 
us  almost  in  the  following  words :  "  Gentlemen,  the  enemy  are 
approaching  bj  the  Drainsville  road,  sixteen  thousand  strong, 
with  twenty  pieces  of  artillery !  They  want  to  cut  off  our  re- 
treat !  We  must  fight ! — you  need  not  expect  any  reenforce- 
ments,  for  none  can  arrive  in  time  if  they  were  sent.  I  am 
going  to  lead  you  out  to  meet  them,  and  if  you  obey  orders  we 
shall  give  the  Yankee  rascals  a  sound  thrashing !  You  have 
met  them  before,  so  have  I — we  both  know  of  what  they  are 
made.  I  shall  be  as  economical  of  human  life  as  possible,  and 
shall  not  sacrifice  one  man  unnecessarily.  Gentlemen,  I  fully 
rely  upon  you,  ancl  have  unbounded  confidence  in  your  courage 
and  patriotism  !  Gentlemen,  good-morning."  Before  the  General 
rode  off,  some  few  essayed  to  cheer,  but  the  prevalent  feeling 
was  despondent.  None  cared  so  much  about  a  fight  on  equal 
terms — if  any  thing,  they  would  willingly  have  accepted  a  chal- 
lenge from  any  two  regiments  the  enemy  could  produce ;  but, 
much  as  we  all  admired  our  commander's  pluck,  it  appeared 
hazardous  for  a  brigade  of  two  thousand  seven  hundred  men, 
with  four  guns,  to  meet  in  mortal  strife  not  less  than  sixteen 
thousand  of  the  enemy,  with  twenty  pieces  of  artillery ! 

The  die  was  cast,  however ;  all  the  baggage  had  moved  many 
miles  to  the  rear,  and  we  marched  across  Goose  Creek  bridge 
and  along  the  Drainsville  road  to  meet  the  enemy  under  Gen- 
eral McCall.  As  the  sun  had  not  yet  risen  we  approached  the 
mouth  of  Goose  Creek,  crossed  it,  and  passed  near  the  guns  of 
the  enemy  commanding  these  points  without  being  observed ; 
had'  they  perceived  us  defiling  from  the  woods  along  the  road, 
a  finer  target  for  their  rifled  pieqes  could  not  have  been  desired. 
We  proceeded  towards  Drainsville  some  two  miles  and  halted, 
just  as  the  sun  rose ;  and,  as  our  haversacks  were  empty, 
smoked  our  pipes  with  great  gusto  in  lieu  of  breakfast.  A  cou- 
rier came  down  the  road  and  informed  Evans  that  the  enemy 
were  six  miles  away,  but  had  not  stirred  since  six  P.M.  the  pre- 
vious evening.  We  marched  back  to  await  their  approach,  and 
bivouacked  in  the  woods.  Presently  two  of  our  mounted 
troopers  came  up  with  a  Federal  courier,  who  had  been  cap- 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  FIGHT.  97 

tured  proceeding  on  his  way  with  despatches  from  McCall  to 
Stone.  His  papers  betrayed  little,  yet  sufficient  to  reveal  that 
it  w_as  designed  to  draw  us  from  Leesburgh  along  the  Drains- 
ville  road,  while  Stone  crossed  and  occupied  the  town.  Evans 
was  the  very  last  man  to  be  deceived  by  such  a  transparent 
trick,  and  as  we  marched  back  across  the  creek  and  halted  in 
the  woods  along  the  Edwards's  Ferry  road,  he  drily  observed, 
showing  his  teeth,  as  usual :  "  They  won't  come  that  way, 
boys ;  but,  had  they  done  so,  we  would  have  given  them  what 
they  never  yet  had — a  d d  good  whaling !" 

As  we  lay  in  the  woods  all  Sunday,  the  church  bells  were 
sweetly  ringing,  and  nature  seemed  to  sleep  in  the  glorious  sun- 
shine of  the  Indian  summer — all  around  us  wore  an  unnatural 
calm,  and  every  man  as  he  quietly  sat  or  slumbered  beneath  the 
leafy  shade  seemed  lost  in  reverie.  We  had  nothing  to  eat,  our 
wagons  and  stores  were  far  away  towards  Manassas,  and  every 
half-hour  reports  would  come  in  that  the  enemy  seemed  very 
busy  at  the  river,  while  the  glittering  of  long  lines  of  bayonets 
could  be  plainly  seen  moving  to  and  fro.  As  if  from  intuition 
all  the  cottagers  left  their  humble  dwellings  and  farms,  and  hur- 
ried away  to  town,  while  the  soldiery,  half  famished,  despoiled 
the  gardens,  and  feasted  on  raw  vegetables,  or  stole  a  few  ears 
of  corn  from  the  barns,  eating  it  raw.  The  stillness  was  oppres- 
sive, and  all  complained  of  thirst ;  a  few  unslung  their  knap- 
sacks and  hurriedly  wrote  letters  home,  sending  them  by  cou- 
riers passing  to  town. 

As  the  sun  began  to  decline,  the  enemy's  batteries  at  Edwards's 
Ferry  furiously  shelled  in  every  direction,  aiming  particularly 
at  Fort  Evans,  the  redt  earthworks  of  which  could  be  plainly 
discerned  dotting  the  green  hill,  and  overlooking  a  bend  in  the 
road  near  the  town.  Shell  were  screaming  over  our  heads 
through  the  air  in  great  numbers,  even  when  darkness  covered 
the  scene ;  and  bursting  in  all  directions,  they  presented  a  rather 
pretty  pyrotechnic  disulay — the  white  circles  of  luminous  smoke 
seeming  to  hang  wi^h  great  sensitiveness  and  delicacy  in  the  air. 

When  all  was  quiet  again  reports  came  in  that  the  enemy 
were  bringing  up  many  boats  from  various  creeks  below,  and 
shortly  afterward  a  courier  arrived  post  haste  and  reported  that 
seven  hundred  men  had  landed  at  the  Old  Ferry  at  the  foot  of 


98  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE    SOUTH. 

our  road.  Three  right  companies  of  the  Eighteenth  Mississippi 
were  sent  down  there — one  went  into  tlje  timber  round  the 
Ferry  House,  with  orders  when  the  enemy  advanced  to  fire  and 
fall  back;  the  second  was  to  act  similarly,  and  the  third  to 
protect  the  retreat  and  entice  the  enemy  on.  They  had  re- 
turned, however  5  and  soon  afterward  their  tattoo  was  sounded, 
and  we  could  plainly  hear  the  men  answering  roll-call.  We 
were  ordered  away  lower  down  stream  to  the  mouth  of  Goose 
Creek — the  enemy  had  been  at  both  places  trying  their  boats. 
We  picketed  all  night,  nearly  frozen  to  death,  had  nothing  to 
eat,  wore  light  summer  clothes,  and  had  no  blankets  or  fires. 

Why  these  three  companies  were  detached  so  far  from  the 
main  body  I  could  not  tell ;  we  were  immediately  under  the 
guns  of  Edwards's  Ferry,  aiid  were  not  informed  how  to  retreat. 
When  the  sun  rose  next  morning,  (October  twenty-first,)  we 
anxiously  awaited  orders 'of  recall;  but  receiving  none,  the 
captains  determined  to  fall  back.  Seeking  the  banks  of  the 
creek,  we  followed  a  hog-path  by  the  water's  edge  up  hill,  and 
were  particularly  fortunate  in  not  tumbling  over  the  precipitous' 
banks.  We  kept  to  the  woods,  and  had  not  crossed  the  hill 
five  minutes  when  the  heavy  guns  at  Edwards's  Ferry  began  to 
shell  furiously,  many  of  their  missiles  falling  in  close  prox- 
imity to  our  halting-place.  Within  ten  minutes  more  we  heard 
the  music  of  fife  and  drum,  and,  looking  over  the  hill,  saw  a 
strong  force  of  the  enemy  issuing  from  the  lane  where  we  had 
picketed  all  night,  with  cavalry  in  front,  and  guns.  Their 
infantry  followed  in  martial  .array,  and  turned  up  the  stream 
toward  Edwards's  Ferry.  Their  appearance  was  martial  and 
imposing.  "At  last,"  thought  we,  "  now  comes  the  tug  of 
war!" 

Not  being  more  than  a  mile  distant  in  the  plain,  our  compa- 
nies enjoyed  a  fine  panoramic  view  of  every  thing  passing. 
When  the  enemy  had  formed  line  of  battle,  and  artillery  was 
placed  in  the  road,  a  squadron  of  cavalry  were  sent  out  to 
reconnoitre.  They  galloped  gaily  toward  Leesburgh,  and  passed 
a  company  of  the  Eighteenth  ensconced  in  the  woods.  The 
gay-looking  horsemen  had  not  proceeded  far,  when  they  sud- 
denly came  upon  the  Eighteenth,  drawn  up  across  the  road 
behind  some  timber,  and,  receiving  a  withering  volley,  turned 


THE   ENEMY  CROSS  THE  POTOMAC.  99 

and  fled,  having  to  run  the  gauntlet  of  the  company,  who,  fr^m 
their  covert,  fired  heavy  loads  of  buck-shot  into  them  as  they 
passed.  From  our  position  on  a  hill  to  the  right,  we  clearly 
saw  the  discomfiture  of  the  cavalry ;  their  officer  commanded 
them  to  move  forward  a  second  time,  but  they  were  so  discour- 
•aged  that  no  persuasion  could  induce  them  to  stir. 

Fresh  troops  now  began  to  pour  across  the  river  from  the 
mouth  of  Goose  Creek,  and  from  Edwards's  Ferry,  .until  at  last 
there  were  many  regiments  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle,  well 
supplied  with  artillery.  The  position  of  the  Eighteenth  being 
known,  the  enemy  began  to  work  their  batteries  with  great 
vigor,  firing  twenty-four-pound  spherical  case-shot,  and  shelling 
the  woods  in  all  directions.  The  Eighteenth  then  fell  back 
towards  town,  and  formed  line  to  the  left,  with  the  Seventeenth 
to  the  right  of  the  road,  and  at  the  foot  of  a  hill  on  which  the 
artillery  was  placed  in  Fort  Evans — the  first  regiment  having 
its  left  on  a  bank  of  the  Potomac,  while  the  right  of  the  second 
regiment  lay  on  Goose  Creek,  In  the  rear  were  the  Thirteenth 
Mississippi  and  the  Eighth  Virginia,  and  still  farther  beyond  was 
a  masked  battery  in  the  woods  designed  to  swee]5  the  road,  should 
we  be  forced  back.  Skirmishers  were  sent  out  to  our  front, 
but  no  enemy  appeared;  scouts  reported  them  ten  thousand 
strong,  with  twelve  pieces  drawn  up  at  the  Ferry,  but  there 
were  no  indications  of  an  advance.  They  still  kept  shelling 
the  woods  vigorously,  and  their  percussion  shell  fell  very  close 
to  us,  as  we  lay  waiting  an  attack,  smoking,  laughing,  and  eating 
raw  cabbages  to  assuage  hunger. 

To  our  left  and  rear,  however,  about  two  miles  up  the  stream, 
things  began  to  assume  a  lively  aspect  One  company  of  the 
Thirteenth,  on  picket  there,  had  been  surprised  and  driven  in 
by  a  regiment  which  had  unexpectedly  marched  out  from  the 
woods  around  Ball's  Bluff.  The  company  fought  well,  and, 
once  getting  the  enemy  on  broken  ground,  began  to  deal  de- 
struction among  them  with  a  rapid  and  accurate  fire.  The 
captain  was  in  his  shirt-sleeves,  and  the  men  not  much  better 
attired.  "  Halt  and  surrender  I"  roared  the  Federal  commander, 
galloping  towards  our  men,  as  they  were  falling  back4;  "  don't 
fire,  we  are  friends!"  •  Our  men,  however,  had  jumped  into  a 
field,  and  each  man,  taking  refuge  behind  a  sheaf  of  corn,  kept 


100  .BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

on  "  popping  "  away  with  great  rapidity  and  precision.  The 
Yankee  colonel  ordered  his  men  "forward,"  but  they  did  not 
stir,  and  seemed  inclined  to  fall  back  for  protection  to  the 
woods.  Then  our  bare-headed  captain  of  the  Thirteenth  or- 
dered his  men  to  reserve  their  fire,  and  advance  at  the  charge ! 
Strange  to  tell,  these  eighty  brave  boys,  with  a  yell,  boldly 
advanced  at  a  run  towards  the  beautiful  line  of  the  enemy,  sud- 
denly halted,  delivered  a  murderous  volley,  and  then  charged. 
The  enemy  did  not  stand,  but  retired  to  the  woods,  and  kept 
up  a  desultory  fire  from  their  covert.  A  cavalry  company 
hearing  the  musketry,  when  far  up  the  river,  advanced,  dis- 
mounted, and  used  their  Maynard  rifles  with  fine  effect,  and 
drove  the  enemy  still  farther  into  the  woods. 

The  Federals,  however,  were  pouring  across  -at  Ball's  Bluff 
in  great  force,  and  two  companies  of  the  Eighteenth  being 
ordered  there  to  sustain  the  pickets,  the  battle  commenced  in 
earnest.  At  one  time  the  enemy  were  driven  in,  but,  being 
shortly  afterwards  reenforced,  they  drove  our  men  completely 
out  of  the  timber  into  the  open  ground.  When  they  essayed 
to  advance  still  farther,  however,  our  gallant  boys  reserved 
their  own,  but  drew  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  and  when  within 
seventy  yards  blazed  away  with  awful  precision,  and  with  a 
yell  charged  them  through  the  woods,  loading  and  firing  rapid- 
ly as  they  advanced. 

It  was  now  midday,  and  still  our  brigade,  with  few  deduc- 
tions, remained  idly  on  the  Edwards's  Ferry  road,  and  had  done 
nothing,  except  eat  raw  vegetables.  The  sudden  falling  back 
of  our  small  force  at  Ball's  Bluff,  labout  one  P.M.,  told  plainly 
that  the  foe  were  in  great  force,  and  soon  afterwards  their 
cannon  began  to  roar.  The  Eighth  Virginia  (four  hundred 
strong)  were  ordered  to  proceed  to  the  spot,  and  drive  in  the 
enemy.  Their  arrival  greatly  relieved  the  wearied  pickets,  and 
the  firing  became  lively,  but  it  was  plain  that  the  enemy  out- 
numbered us  at  all  points,  and  we  heard  their  long  volleys 
with  great  anxiety  and  impatience.  It  was  not  known  at  what 
point  the  enemy  meant  to  make  their  most  vigorous  attack. 
Our  great  strength  had  been  reserved  for  the  defence  of  Fort 
Evans,  and,  finding  the  enemy  were  not  inclined  to  advance, 
Evans  determined  to  do  so.  Our  orders  were  to  attack  the 


BATTLE  AT  BALL'S  BLUFF.  101 

enemy,  and  "  make  the  business  short."  "  Forward,  boys," 
.«aid  our  General ;  "  if  they  won't  come  to  us,  we  must  go  to 
(hem,  and  in  less  than  an  hour  we'll  make  them  wish  they  had 
never  been  born." 

The  Eighteenth  led,  and  following  came  the  Seventeenth  and 
Thirteenth,  with  four  howitzers.  As  we  reached  the  highest 
point  in  the  road,  we  saw  the  enemy  drawn  up  in  beautif  1 
order,  in  columns  of  companies,  with  many  pieces  of  artillery 
and  some  cavalry ;  above  them,  on  the  other  side  of  the  river, 
were  three  batteries  placed  on  a  hill,  and  all  ready  for  action ! 
Several  brigades  had  not  crossed,  and  we  could  plainly  see 
them  with  arms  stacked  !  As  we  silently  moved  forward,  an 
Adjutant  galloped  to  the  front,  and  the  column  halted.  The 
enemy  plainly  saw  our  whole  force,  but  reserved  their  fire. 
"  They  have  nearly  surrounded  us  at  the  Bluff,"  he  said,  "  and 
the  Eighteenth  is  to  countermarch  to  their  relief  I"  So  the 
Seventeenth  and  Thirteenth  countermarched  to  their  old  posi- 
tion, and  after  pulling  down  the  fences,  we  began  our  race  of  two 
miles  to  turn  the  tide  of  battle.  As  we  left  the  road  a  strange 
sight  was  pi^sented,  and  which  caused  many  a  hearty  laugh. 
Some  hundred  or  more  of  our  regiment  who  were  sick,  had  es- 
caped from  the  hospitals,  knocked  over  the  doctors  and  parsons 
who  tried  to  prevent  them,  and  marched  out  to  participate  in  the 
fight,  and  now  fell  into  rank  with  great  good  humor!  As 
many  more  had  left  the  hospitals  in  the  morning  contrary  to 
orders,  and  not  knowing  the  whereabouts  of  their  respective 
regiments,  had  directed  their  steps  to  the  line  of  fire,  and  fought 
manfully.  As  we  ran  towards  the  scene  of  battle,  the  roar  of 
the  enemy's  musketry  and  cannon  was  deafening. 

. "  Lige  "  White,  who  had  been  very  active  all  day,  rode  up 
to  us  and  confirmed  the  statement  that  *our  small  force  was 
nearly  surrounded :  he  knew  every  inch  of  the  ground  perfect- 
ly, and  piloted  us  into  a  position  immediately  in  front  of  the 
enemy's  centre.  The  enemy  did  not  expect  us  in  that  direction, 
and  a  lull  in  the  firing  immediately  ensued.  Our  fatigued  com- 
rades seemed  with  one  accord  to  leave  the  battle  entirely  to 
as ;  and  we  did  not  disappoint  their  flattering  expectations. 
Advancing  through  the  woods  in  good  order,  we  at  last  came 
m  sight  of  a  large  open  field  where  the  centre  of  the  Yankee 


102  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE   SOUTH. 

semicircular  line  of  battle  was  supported  by  four  howitzers. 
Knocking  down  the  fences,  we  jumped  into  the  open  and  re- 
formed, as  coolly  as  if  on  parade.  The  four  right  companies 
instantly  dashed  up  a  rising  ground  to  the  right,  and  dispos- 
sessed the  foe  of  a  patch  of  woods  that  commanded  their  centre. 
Though  vigorously  assailed  with  shot  and  shell,  our  right  com- 
panies fired  so  quickly,  and  with  such  murderous  accuracy, 
that  the  guns  were  soon  deserted ;  but  the  fire  of*  the  enemy's 
infantry  at  the  same  time  was  so  well  sustained  that  had  we  not 
been  wise  enough  to  load  and  fire  on  all-fours,  not  a  man  of  us 
would  have  escaped.  WQ  had  the  advantage  of  a  full  view  of 
every  movement  made  by  the  enemy,  and  all  their  advances  were 
chastised  with  such  heavy  loss  that  they  contented  themselves 
with  the  cover  of  the  timber  on  the  Bluffs  and  could  not  be  in- 
duced to  advance. 

Such  a  roar  of  musketry,  for  the  numbers  engaged,  I  never 
heard.  Many  fell  on  our  side.  The  four  right  companies  had 
over  one  hundred  killed  or  disabled  ;  but  though  two  thousand 
men — some  of  the  very  best  in  the  Federal  army,  and  under 
Baker — were  opposed  to  them  and  kept  up  a  semicircle  of  fire, 
our  men  held  "on  like  bloodhounds,  and  neither  threats,  com- 
mands, nor  entreaties  of  officers  could  induce  them  to  fall  back 
and  re-form  the  regiment.  The  men  would  not  do  it ;  the  en- 
emy were  before  them ;  they  would  advance,  if  ordered,  but  no 
falling  back  for  any  thing.  In  fact,  these  four  companies  were 
fighting  the  battle  alone,  and  the  enemy  were  losing  scores 
every  moment.  Our  men  had  bought  large  quantities  of  buck- 
shot, and  reserved  them  for  "close  quarters,"  as  they  termed 
it,  and  were  now  using  them  witb  terrible  effect.  Besides  the 
ordinary  musket  cartridge,  they  put  in  from  eight  to  sixteen 
buckshot,  and  kept  up  the  fire  with  so  much  effect  that  the 
enemy's  front  and  all  around  the  guns  were  strewn  with  the 
dead  and  wounded  in  hundreds. 

General  Baker  having  been  killed  shortly  after  our  fierce 
onset,  Colonel  Coggswell  now  commanded  the  enemy,  and 
thought  to  make  good  his  retreat  by  a  flank  movement  to 
Edwards's  Ferry.  While  he  deliberated,  the  Seventeenth  came 
in  on  our  left  flank,  and  the  rest  of  our  regiment  assailed  him 
on  the  right.  For  some  time  the  battle  raged  with  great  fury, 
and  it  seemed  to  us  there  was  no  end  to  the  stream  of  fresh 


DREADFUL   MASSACRE.  103 

troops  relieving  the  enemy.  But  Colonel  Coggswell  had  suc- 
ceeded to  the  command  in  a  luckless  hour.  Endeavoring  to 
move  by  the  left  flank,  in  order  to  effect  a  junction  with  Stone 
at  the  Ferry,  he  was  intercepted  by  our  lieutenant-colonel, 
who  advanced  against  him  with  six  companies,  and  having 
surrendered,  we  had  the  satisiaction  to  see  eight  hundred  pris- 
oners, with  the  chief  in  command,  marched  to  the  rear. 

The  fighting  still  continued  in  the  centre,  as  if  the  troops 
were  unaware  of  Coggswell's  surrender,  but  as  it  was  not  our 
object  to  shed  blood  unnecessarily,  we  all  ceased  filing  for  a 
few  moments.  Our  company  was  detached  from  the  regiment, 
and  rested  on  the  right  of  the  Virginians,  who  lay  in  the  woods. 
We  were  soon  ordered  to  advance  across  the  open  ground  at  the 
double-quick,  to  join  the  regiment  drawn  up  in  the  woods  at  the 
edge  of  the  river,  and  as  we  did  so,  up  rose  the  enemy  on  the 
Bluff,  and  poured  a  heavy  volley  into  us;  but  we  dropped  in 
time,  rose  up  instantly,  rushed  on,  discharged  our  pieces  in  their 
faces,  and  drove  them  over  the  Bluff  on  to  the  bayonets  of  their 
friends,  thirty  feet  below.  Such  slaughter,  such  havoc  and 
mangling  of  living  men,  it  has  never  been  my  lot  to  witn'ess  in 
any  battle.  Our  men  were  wrought  up  to  fury,  and  fought 
like  fiends;  no  unfair  advantages  were  sought,  nor  did  any  act 
contrary  to  the  rules  of  war ;  but,  greatly  outnumbered  at  all 
points,  they  eagerly  seized  upon  every  opportunity  to  inflict 
chastisement,  and  from  their  masterly  use  of  the  musket,  killed 
and  wounded  twice  as  many  as  their  own  number  actually  en- 
gaged. 

The  centre  of  the  enemy  was  now  completely  broken,  and  the 
remnant  driven  over  the  Bluff  into  the  river;  the  guns  were 
ours,  and  dragged  off;  the  right  was  captured  to  a  man ;  and 
the  left  had  disappeared  under  the  high  banks  of  thp  river,  and 
dispersed  in  small  parties,  endeavoring  to  cross.  As  we  lay  in 
line  of  battle,  expecting  a  fresh  attack,  I  plainly  saw  the  wrecks 
of  three  .large  flats,  on  which  "hundreds  had  perished.  They 
had  been  used  for  bringing  over  reenforcements,  and  returning 
with  wounded,  but  such  was  the  consternation  among  the  troops, 
that  large  numbers  rushed  on  board,  trampling  upon  the  wound- 
ed, until  they  all  sank  together  amid  frightful  screams.  Colo- 
nels and  captains  had  deserted  their  commands,  and  throwing  off 


104  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

their  clothing,  escaped  by  swimming;  at  one  time  the  river 
seemed  covered  with  heads,  and  when,  being  ordered  back,  re- 
fusing to  return,  nearly  all  were  shot  by  our  men.  On  the 
island  we  saw  several  regiments  drawn  up,  but  the  rout  and 
destruction  of  their  comrades  appalled  them :  they  would  not 
advance,  and,  to  prevent  loss  from  our  accurate  fire,  they  were 
led-  off  from  the  island  into  Maryland.  Several  houses  on  the 
island  had  been  converted  into  hospitals,  and  the  hundreds  of 
suffering  beings  who  lay  around  the  field  presented  a  harrow- 
ing sight. 

The  sun  had  now  set,  the  battle  was  over,  and  various  com- 
panies of  men  were  detailed  to  bear  off  the  wounded,  bury 
the  dead,  secure  arms  and  prisoners,  and  hold  the  field.  Our 
right  was  still  threatened,  and  every  available  man  marched  to 
support  the  Thirteenth,  who  held  Fort  Evans.  The  enemy,  in- 
deed, had  not  advanced  an  inch,  but  there  was  no  certainty  re- 
garding their  movements. 

At  night  I  went  to  the  Bluff  to  look  after  the  wounded.  The 
sight  was  an  awful  one;  the  groans  in  every  direction  fearful 
to  hear.  Burial-parties  were  busy  with  spades,  and  many  a 
noble  boy  might  be  seen  consigned  to  his  last  resting-place. 
Crowds  of  carriages  and  conveyances  were  on  the  ground, 
bearing  off  the  wounded,  while  the  hospitals  in  town  were 
thronged  by  ladies,  young  and  old,  lending  their  tender  aid  in 
all  manner  of  offices.  Indeed,  while  the  battle  was  progressing, 
crowds  of  women  gathered  on  a  neighboring  hill,  and  wept  and 
bewailed,  while  many  a  gopd  sturdy  fellow  kept  in-doors,  ready 
to  shout  for  either  party,  and  did  not  stir  out  till  victory  had 
saluted  our  banners. 

The  Yankees  who  had  hid  themselves  along  the  bank  of  the 
river  were  loth  to  come  forth,  but  after  much  persuasion,  they 
voluntarily  came  forward  in  a  body,  threw  down  their  arms, 
and  marched  to  town  very  good-humoredly,  and,  after  being 
refreshed,  were  sent  towards  Manassas  that  same  night.  The 
quantities  of  arms  we  found  along  the  banks  surprised  me  — 
all  being  of  English  manufacture,  having  on  the  plates,  "  Hall, 
London;"  "Bond,  London;"  "London  Tower,"  etc.  The 
stream  at  the  crossing  appeared  to  be  literally  choked  with 
broken  boats,  dead  bodies,  and  arms  —  not  less  than  one 


THE   ENEMY  RETIRE.  105 

hundred  dead  being  piled  up  under  the  Bluffs  in  dozens,  and 
scores  in  other  places,  and  the  sand  all  gory.  The  woods 
around  the  Bluffs  were  all  cut  down  or  splintered  by  shot,  the 
trunks  of  the  larger  trees  looking  as  if  millions  of  rats  had, 
been  gnawing  them.-  The  number  of  arms  captured  was  near 
two  thousand,  four  howitzers,  much  clothing,  a  few  stores  and 
ammunition,  eight  hundred  prisoners,  twenty  officers,  two  colo- 
nels, one  or  two  stand  of  colors.  The  killed  and  wounded 
were  about  two  thousand,  not  including  the  three  large  boat- 
loads that  sank,  or  numbers  that  fell  on  the  island  from  stray 
shot,  and  from  our  fire  late  in1  the  evening.  Our  loss  was  not 
more  than  from  two  to  three  hundred  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing. 

It  surprised  me  at  the  time,  and  is  still  sufficiently  remark- 
able to  be  worthy  of  note,  that  General  Evans  was  not  upon  or 
even  near  the  field  until  the  last  shot  had  been  fired.  Then, . 
however,  he  came  galloping  upon  the  ground,  and  highly  com- 
plimented us,  saying  that  he  had  been  anxiously  watching  us 
at  the  same  time  observing  the  enemy's  movements  along  the 
Edwards's  Ferry  road.  If  the  truth  must  be  told,  he  directed 
our  movements  from  his  office  in  town,  two  miles  away  —  or 
between  that  point  and  Fort  Evans  —  and  was  swearing  lustily 
all  the  afternoon  ;  yet,  although  he  fondly  expected  the  enemy 
to  approach  the  fort,  they  did  not  do  so ;  hence  every  disposi- 
tion was  made  at  Ball's  Bluff  by  Colonel  Burt,  of  the  Eighteenth, 
who  fell  while  cheering  on  the  four  right  companies  in  their 
headlong  massacre  of  the  enemy.  Another  remarkable  fact : 
when  the  Yankees  had  safely  reached  the  shores  of  Maryland, 
they  began  to  cheer  like  madmen,  but  for  what,  will  ever  re- 
main a  mystery.  One  of  the  boys  dryly  remarked,  that  "  the 
darned  fools  cheered  because  they  got  back  safely !"  Others 
said,  "they  cheered  because  they  felt  so  mighty  big  over 
another  victory  !"  Both  were  probably  near  the  truth  ! 

Our  whole  force  now  lay  in  the  woods  round  Fort  Evans, 
anxiously  looking  for  the  morrow,  for  all  expected  the  enemy 
to  advance,  and  endeavor  to  retrieve  their  fallen  fortunes. 
Morning  came,  and  scouts  reported  them  strongly  fortified, 
with  large  reserves,  about  to  cross.  We  waited  until  noon,  and 
although  the  rain  poured  in  torrents,  Evans  was  anxious  to  en- 
tice them  forward.  The  Thirteenth  was  ordered  to  open  the 


106  BATTLE-FIELDS(  OF   THE  SOUTH. 

fight,  and  draw  the  enemy  out ;  for  this  purpose  the  right  wing 
of  the  regiment  was  used,  to  counterfeit  weakness,  the  left  being 
held  in  reserve.  The  Yankees  accepted  battle,  and  a  large  regi- 
ment advanced  to  the  attack  ;  the  right  of  the  Thirteenth  see- 
ing this,  were  maddened,  (because  not  called  in  at  the  Bluff,) 
and  assailed  the  New-Englanders  with  such  fury  that  they  broke 
and  ran,  the  Thirteenth  chasing  them  through  ploughed  fields, 
over  their  breast-works,  and  past  their  guns.  The  guns  would 
have  been  brought  in,  but  being  so  far  from  all  support,  the  men 
fell  back  without  them.  It  was  in  vain  that  all  kinds  of  expe- 
dients were  used  to  entice  the  enemy  on,  for,  although  our  small 
force  was  too  much  exhausted  and  insufficient  to  attack,  we  all 
desired  the  enemy  to  advance  and  try  their  fortunes.  The  rain 
fell  in  torrents  all  day,  and  at  midnight  three  guns  and  loud 
cheers  were  heard  from  the  other  bank  of  the  river ;  the  enemy, 
twelve  thousand  strong,  with  twelve  pieces,  had  successfully 
recrossed  the  river,  and  were  cheering  in  consequence ! 

Fearful  that  other  forces  would  move  down  from  Drains- 
ville,  and  cut  off  his  communication,  Evans  once  more  fell 
back  to  Goose  Creek,  where  a  South-Carolina  regiment,  a 
Louisiana  regiment,  and  four  guns  of  the  Washington  Artil- 
lery, reen  forced  us.  Here  we  anxiously  awaited  battle  from 
McCall,  or  any  one  else  who  dared  to  approach.  Our  reen- 
forcements  were  eager  for  the  strife,  and  could  a  hundred 
thousand  dollars  have  purchased  a  battle,  they  would  willingly 
have  subscribed  that  amount.  The  Louisianians  in  particular 
were  fretful  for  a  fight;  they  had  marched  from  Centreville 
in  a  very  short  time,  and  in  order  not  to  delay,  kicked  over 
their  barrels  of  flour,  and  journeyed  with  empty  haversacks. 
This  regiment  was  entirely  composed  of  Creoles  and  Irish — 
a  splendid  lot  of  men,  and  highly  disciplined  by  Colonel 
Kelly.  They  have  since  greatly  distinguished  themselves  in 
"  Stonewall "  Jackson's  division,  having  turned  the  tide  in 
many  battles. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Effects  of  the  Battle  of  Leesburgh,  or  Ball's  Bluff,  on  Public  Opinion  in  tho 
Country,  North  and  South — The  Yankees  claim  a  Victory  as  usual — General 
Stone  arrested  and  sent  to  Fort  Warren  —  Remarkable  Incidents  of  the 
"War  —  A  Fraternal  Rencontre  —  The  Negroes  with  either  Army  —  Humorous 
Incidents — Evans  is  sent  to  defend  his  Native  State,  South-Carolina — General 
D.  D.  Hill  assumes  Command  —  Fortifications  are  erected  —  We  prepare  for 
Winter  Quarters. 

FOR  two  or  three  weeks  previous  to  the  battle  of  Leesburgh, 
the  Northern  papers  overflowed  with  joyful  expectations  re- 
garding the  movements  then  in  preparation.  The  Adminis- 
tration organ  at  Washington  predicted  that  "in  a  few  days 
the  rebels  would  suddenly  drop  out  of  Leesburgh  ;"  others 
said,  "  "We  shall  begin  to  make  history  next  week ;"  "  let  all 
prepare  for  a  succession  of  Union  victories  that 'shall  eclipse 
all  the  doings  of  the  Old  World  I"  It  may  well  be  supposed 
that  enough  had  occurred  to  disenchant  them  of  these  bombas- 
tic ideas ;  but  no,  the  Federal  generals,  to  cover  up  their  defeat 
by  misrepresentation,  acknowledged  having  met  with  reverses 
at  Ball's  Bluff,  but  triumphantly  rejoined  :  "We  have  captured 
Harrison's  Island,  and  hold  it  against  all  efforts  of  the  rebels  !" 
The  fact  is,  they  had  always  held  undisputed  possession  of  the 
island  ;  yet  the  mainland  was  so  much  higher  as  to  command 
it,  and  had  our  artillery  been  present  in  the  battle,  not  twenty 
men  of  their  whole  force  could  have  escaped. 

When  at  length  the  story  .was  truthfully  told  by  the  l^ew- 
York  Times  and  Tribune,  the  whole  North  was  thrown  into 
consternation  and  mourning  over  "the  massacre,"  as  they 
termed  it,  and  began  reviling  each  other  for  urging  McClellan 
to  advance  at  all  against  Richmond.  Massachusetts  was  par- 
ticularly  affected  by  the  direful  news,  for  two  of  its  "  pet " 
regiments  (the  Fifteenth  and  Twenty-third)  had  suffered 
fearfully,  and  many  young  men.  of  the  first  families  had  fallen, 
including  the  promising  son  of  the  poet,  Oliver  Wendell 


108  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

Holmes,  most  of  the  men  having  been  enrolled  in  Boston  and 
Worcester.  New- York  also  felt  very  much  humbled  on 
account  of  the  decimation  of  the  Forty-fourth,  one  of  its 
crack  regiments,  which  boasted  of  more  professional  pugilists 
and  blackguards  than  any  other  from  that  State,  except  the 
red-legged  Fire  Zouaves.  Pennsylvania  was  in  mourning  for 
the  rout  of  the  First  California  Regiment,  (fifteen  companies 
strong,)  which  had  been  raised  by  Baker  in  Philadelphia,  and 
which  was  petted  and  feasted,  and  paraded  at  Washington  by 
Lincoln  himself,  and  called  the  "  Invincibles."  Other  States 
had  each  its  special  reason  for  mourning,  and  so,  from  one 
reason  or  another,  the  entire  press  howled  over  the  disaster  for 
a  full  month. 

In  the  South,  however,  our  success  was  not  regarded  with 
proportionate  admiration;  the  people  expected  the  "boys'' 
to  do  well,  and  when  their  victory  was  recorded,  it  only  excited 
smiles  and  modest  comment.  As  far  as  our  brigade  was  con- 
cerned, scarcely  a  man  spoke  of  it,  save  to  show  how  much 
more  might  have  been  gained  by  the  presence  of  artillery,  or 
if  the  preliminary  movements  in  which  they  had  been  engaged 
during  the  previous  week  had  been  less  fatiguing.  General 
Evans,  indeed,  was  much  lauded  in  the  newspapers,  biographi- 
cal sketches  appearing  from  different  pens,  tending  to  prove 
that  the  General  was  an  extraordinary  soldier ;  the  men,  how- 
ever, could  not  help  believing  that  his  plans  were  faulty,  and 
that  had  it  not  been  for  the  ferocity  of  the  troops,  the  affair 
would  have  ended  very  differently.  Be  that  as  it  may,  the 
South-Carolinians  claimed  the  battle  as  theirs,  since  Evans  was 
of  that  State ;  while  the  gallant  Mississippians  thought  all  the 
honor  belonged  to  them,  as  they  had  done  all  the  fighting  ;  and 
in  truth,  the  Virginians  did  very  little.  Poor  Stone,  the  Fed- 
eral* commander,  was  bullied  unmercifully  by  the  Northern 
press,  and  being  in  Washington  on  business,  where  he  dined 
with  McClellan,  he  was  on  the  following  morning  arrested 
and  sent  to  Fort  Warren,  without  a  word  of  explanation. 

Among  the  numerous  incidents  that  fell  under  my  notice  il- 
lustrative of  the  sometimes  tragical,  sometimes  laughable,  oc- 
currences of  civil  war,  the  following  may  be  mentioned  as  pro- 
perly pertaining  to  the  battle  of  Leesburgh.  Two  young  men, 
brothers,  acquaintances  of  mine  in  Kentucky,  had  always  dif- 


A  SCOTCH   DESERTER.  •  109 

fered  in  politics,  and  when  the  war  broke  out,  Howard,  the 
younger,  sought  the  Southern  army,  .and  Alfred  that  of  the 
North.  They  shook  hands  at  parting,  and  said  it  was  probable 
they  should  meet  again  on  some  field  or  other.  Alfred  obtain- 
ed a  captain's  commission ;  Howard,  with  many  fellow-states- 
men, shouldered  a  musket  in  our  regiment.  Whefi  the  battle 
was  over,  Howard  was  searching  for  the  bodies  of  friends  who 
had  fallen  by  his  side,  and  stumbled  over  something.  "Hal- 
loa!"' said  the  object,  in  a  hoarse  voice,  "  who  are  you  ?"  "  I'm 
a  Southerner,"  replied  Howard;  "you  are  one  of  the  enemy,  if 
I'm  not  mistaken,  and  know,  of  course,  that  the  field  is  ours." 
"  Well,  yes,  I  have  some  faint  recollection  of  a  fight ;  but  all  I 
remember  is  much  smoke,  a  great  noise  of  musketry,  and  of 
some  active  fellow  in  a  white  cap  knocking  me  down  with  a 
musket,  and  then  I  fell  asleep."  When  they  advanced  to  one 
of  the  camp-fires,  Howard  recognized  his  brother  Alfred,  and 
he  himself  was  the  man  who  had  knocked  him  down  with  the 
butt  of  hia  musket  in  the  confusion  of  the  battle ! 

By  the  next  incident  I  shall  relate  we  were  much  amused. 
One  of  our  best  soldiers  was  a  rough  Scotchman  named  Black, 
who  had  relatives  in  the  South,  and,  desiring  to  get  to  them, 
joined  the  Northern  army,  with  the  intention  of  deserting  at  the 
first  opportunity.  When  on  picket  guard  at  the  river,  he  pre- 
tended to  bathe,  and,  being  a  good  swimmer,  manfully  struck 
out  for  the  Virginia  shore.  When  midway,  he  turned  and 
shouted:  "Good-by,  boys;  I'm  bound  for  Dixie!"  "Come 
back,  or  we'll  shoot!"  answered  the  guard.  "Shoot,  and  be 
d — d,  you  white-livered  nigger-thieves,"  shouted  Black,  and  in 
the  midst  of  a  shower  of  Minid  balls,  he  safely  landed  ampng 
us.  He  willingly  entered  our  service,  and  proved  an  admirable 
soldier.  During  the  battle  he  performed  many  feats  of  daring, 
and  at  night  formed  one  of  a  corporal's  guard  who  escorted  a 
full  company  of  Federals  off  the  ground.  As  Black  was  laugh- 
ing and  joking,  the  captain  of  the  Federals  remarked  to  him :  "I 
ought  to  know  that  voice ! — is  that  you,  Black?"  " That's  me!" 
iocosely  replied  the  Scotchman.  "  I  hope  you're  well,  captain, 
you  and  all  the  boys !  I  couldn't  stay  with  you,  you  see ;  it 
wasn't  because  I  feared  to  fight,  but  I  like  to  fight  in  the  right 
cause  always."  It  is  needless  to  say  Black  was  escorting  his 
old  company,  officers  and  all. 


110  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  action  our  men  perceived 
among  the  enemy  several  negroes,  who  seemed  to  take  great 
care  of  themselves,  and  could  not  be  induced  to  leave  the  trees 
behind  which  they  fought.  Many  of  us  took  a  "pop"  at  the 
darkies,  but  always  missed.  When  the  fact  became  known  to 
our  colored  boys,  who  always  persisted  in  going  to  battle  with 
us,  they  dropped  the  wounded  they  were  carrying  off,  and  im- 
mediately formed  plans  for  capturing  "de  black  'Bolition 
teeves."  It  was  very  amusing  to  see  their  display  of  general- 
ship. "Go  back  to  the  rear,  boys,"  said  the  officers,  "this  is 
no  place  for  you !"  But  the  darkies  would  not  go  back,  and 
lurking  behind  their  masters  picked  off  the  enemy's  officers  at 
a  rapid  rate.  At  last  the  regiment  made  a  sudden  charge, 
when,  to  our  surprise,  we  found  that  not  less  than  half  a  dozen 
black  fellows  had  preceded  us,  and  were  each  bringing  out  a 
prisoner  of  the  same  color,  abusing  them  roundly,  and  kicking 
them  unmercifully.  "You  black  rascal  you ! — does  you  mean 
to  fight  agin  white  folks,  you  ugly  niggers,  you?  Suppose 
you  tinks  yourself  no  '  small  taters '  wid  dat  blue  jacket  on  and 
dem  striped  pants.  You'll  oblige  dis  Missippi  darkey  by  pull- 
ing dem  off  ri^ht  smart,  if  yer  doesn't  want  dat  head  o'  yourn 
broke."  "You  are  a  mighty  smart  nigger,  you  is!"  said  one 
of  our  cooks  to  his  captive;  "comin'  down  Souf  to  whip  de 
whites !  You  couldn't  stay  't  home  and  let  us  fight  de  Yanks, 
but  you  must  come  along  too,  eh!  You  took  putty  good  care 
o'  yourself,  you  did,  behind  dat  old  oak !  I  was  a  lookin'  at 
yer ;  and  if  you  hadn't  dodged  so  much,  you  was  a  gone  chick- 
en long  ago,  you  ugly  ole  Abe  Lincolnite,  you !" 

Some  of  our  servants  were  fortunate  enough  to  pick  up  many 
valuables,  including  diamond-pins,  watches,  rings,  and  money, 
and  as  at  Manassas,  they  selected  the  finest  Federal  uniforms 
they  could  discover,  in  which  they  dressed  themselves,  and 
then  promenaded  round  town  with  their  sweethearts.  I  dis- 
covered my  servant  one  morning  making  coffee,  completely 
dressed  in  the  grandest  style,  from  boots  to  the  gilded  shoulder, 
straps,  of  some  unfortunate  Federal  officer.  In  their  conversa- 
tion) they  seemed  to  look  upon  the  Yankees  with  contempt, 
and  especially  because  they  didn't  fight  to  suit  them.  "  Talk 
of  dem  Yanks  comin'  down  to  whip  us!  Dey  must  be  sick! 
Why,  massa  can  whale  ak  dozen  of  'em  'fore  coffee  is  hot,  fair 


PREPARING  FOR  WINTER  QUARTERS.  Ill 

fight.  Dem  Nordon  darkies  is  no  'count,  and  yet  dey  puts  on 
all  de  airs  in  the  worle.  If  eber  I  ketch  any  of  dem  darkies 
comin'  in  my  way,  or  foolin'  wid  me,  dis  chile  is  gpin'  to  make 
somebody  holler,  sure !" 

General  Evans  had  received  command  of  all  the  forces  in 
South-Carolina ;  and  as  that  State  was  threatened  with  inva- 
sion, he  now  hurried  forward  to  perfect  arrangements ;  his  suc- 
cessor in  our  command  was  General  D.  H.  Hill,  (brother-in-law 
to  "  Stonewall "  Jackson,)  and  a  very  superior  officer.  General 
Griffith  (cousin  of  the  President)^  commanded  the  brigade. 
From  the  moment  of  his  arrival,  flill  was  continually  in  the 
saddle,  and,  nearly  always  alone,  soon  made  himself  master  of 
every  acre  in  Loudon  County.  I  shall  have  to  speak  of  this  of- 
ficer again.  He  had  already  achieved  fame  at  Little  Bethel  as 
colonel  of  the  Carolina  Volunteers,  and  greatly  emulated  Jack- 
son in  all  his  doings.  Having  selected  fine  sites  near  the  river, 
he  commenced  fortifying  with  great  vigor,  much  to  the  annoy- 
ance of  the  enemy,  who  had  meditated  crossing  the  ice  during 
heavy  winter,  and  surprising  us  before  reenforcements  could 
march  up  from  Centreville.  The  mud-work  at  Fort  Evans  was 
also  enlarged,  covered,  made  bomb-proof,  and  pierced  for  six 
thirty-two  pounders;  long  lines  of  rifle-pits  were  dug  during 
night  close  to  the  river  and  elsewhere ;  a  hill  was  fortified  to 
the  south,  commanding  Fort  Evans ;  and  another,  more  import, 
ant  still,  north  of  the  town,  which  commanded  every  approach. 
Figuratively,  our  fortifications  were  lions  without  teeth;  for 
guns  could  not  be  spared  at  Manassas ;  and  the  roads  were  in 
such  bad  order  that  it  required  twenty-four  oxen  to  draw  one 
thirty-two-pounder  a  distance  of  twenty-five  miles,  and  taking 
not  less  than  three  days  to  do  it.  Hill  worked  hard,  however, 
and  placed  six  hfeavy  pieces  in  position,  and  astonished  the  en- 
emy by  shelling  them  out  of  their  battery  behind  Edwards's 
Ferry. 

In  the  mean  time  it  had  become  apparent  to  all  that  some 
grand  move  was  planning  in  Maryland ;  for  heavy  masses  of 
troops  were  Continually  seen  moving  from  point  to  point.  Our 
cavalry  force  was  therefore  increased,  and  guarded  the  Upper 
Potomac ;  and  now  all  being  prepared  as  far  as  our  means  per- 
mitted, we  committed  the  event  to  fortune,  and  in  November 
received  the  joyful  order  to  go  into  winter  quarters. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Winter  Quarters — Amusements  of  the  Men — Cock-fighting,  Racing,  Snow-balling, 
Singing  Clubs,  etc. — I  visit  Richmond,  and  see  the  Fortifications  of  Manassas  en 
route — Affectation  of  Military  Rank  at  -the  Capital — Gaiety  of  the  Place — Solons 
out  of  Place — Much  Wisdom  thrown  away — Scarcity  and  high  Price  of  Pro- 
visions— Commodores  Lynch  and  Hollins — Major-General  Pryor. 

FOR  the  next  two  weeks  scarcely  any  sound  was  heard  but 
that  of  axe-men  engaged  in  felling  trees ;  and  within  a  very 
short  time  we  were  all  well  housed  in  log-huts,  covered  with 
layers  of  straw  and  mud.  The  fire-places  being  large,  admitted 
"sticks  "  of  wood  four  feet  long ;  and  sometimes  ten  logs  of  this 
length  constituted  a  fire.  Some  bougnt  stoves  to'  cook  on,  and 
built  additional  dwellings  for  their  servants ;  but  within  the 
fortnight  all  were  comfortably  provided  for.  Our  commanders 
occupied  some  princely  residences  owned  by  Union  men  in 
Maryland,  who  had  been  large  lottery-dealers,  and  possessed  of 
immense  wealth.  The  various  regiments,  were '  placed  on  the 
east  side  of  the  forts,  ready  to  occupy  them  within  five  minutes' 
notice. 

Amusements  of  all  kinds  were  soon  introduced,  but  chiefly 
cock-fighting,  as  in  summer.  Men  were  sent  out  in  all  direc- 
tions to  buy  up  game  fowl ;  and  shortly  there  rose  up  a  young 
generation  of  "  trainers,"  versed  in  every  point  of  the  game, 
and  of  undisputed  authority  in  the  settlement  of  a  quarrel. 
These,  for  the  most  part,  were  gentlemen  from  the  Emerald  Isle, 
not  a  few  of  whom  were  in  every  regiment  in  the  service.  In 
the  matches,  regiment  fought  against  regiment,  and  company 
against  company,  for  stakes  varying  from  five  dollars  to  two 
thousand  dollars  a  side ;  and  such  was  the  mania^fo?  "  roosters  " 
that  the  camps  sounded  like  a  poultry  show,  or  a  mammoth 
farmyard.  "  Snow-balling "  was  also  a  favorite  pastime  with 
the  Southerners,  and,  together  with  skating  and  sledfging,  much 
delighted  them;  the  majority  had  never  seen  snow  or  ice, 


CENTREVILLE.  113 

except  when  the  latter  was  used  with  "sherry-cobblers," 
"  whisky-skins,"  "  cocktails,"  etc. 

I  was  loth  to  leave  the  brigade ;  but  service  called  me  to 
Eichmond.  So,  having  partaken  of  »11  the  enjoyments  of 
"  singing  clubs,"  "  negro  minstrelsr"  "  debating  clubs,"  and  the 
like,  I  departed  for  Manassas  by  a  quartermaster's  wagon,  and 
soon  arrived  at  Centreville.  The  outposts  and  guards  at  the 
latter  place  were  extremely  vigilant — annoyingly  so,  I  thought ; 
and  for  the  slightest  irregularity  in  our  "passes "and  papers, 
would  have  sent  us  back  to  Leesburgh.  Fortifications  of  im- 
mense strength  and  extent  arose  on  every  hand,  and  were  all 
well  mounted.  Though  I  could  not  comprehend  the  half  of 
what  fell  under  my  notice,  I  felt  strongly  impressed  that  no 
army  in  the  world  could  capture  the  place  by  an  assault  in 
front  or  flank.  For  miles  these  earthworks  could  be  seen 
stretching  through  the  country ;  and  I  counted  not  less  than 
five  hundred  heavy  pieces,  without  numbering  them  all. 

The  troops  were  comfortably  quartered  in  well-built  frame- 
houses,  placed  in  lines  of  streets,  with  parade-grounds  in  front ; 
sinks,  gutters,  and  other  sanitary  arrangements  seemed  com- 
plete. The  care  and  forethought  displayed  by  our  generals  for 
the  comfort,  health,  and  convenience  of  the  men  surprised  and 
delighted  me :  large  bakeries,  wash-houses,  infirmaries,  black- 
smiths' shops,  numerous  sutlers'  establishments,  (where  no 
liquors  were  sold,)  chapels,  parade  and  drill-grounds,  head- 
quarters, chiefs  of  departments,  immense  stables,  warehouses 
and  State  depots — even  a  railroad  connecting  the  place  with 
Centreville  to  facilitate  communication  and  send  supplies. 

The  only  drawback  here — and  this  was  sufficient  to  mar  the 
whole — was  the  incredible  quantity  and  tenacity  of  the  mud. 
Locomotion  in  rainy  or  damp  weather  baffles  all  description ; 
and  to  say  that  I  have  seen  whole  wagon- trains  fast  in  the  road, 
with  mud  up  to  the  axles,  would  afford  but  a  faint  idea  of  the 
reality.  If  timber  had  been  plentiful,  the  roads  might  have 
been  "  corduroyed,"  according  to  the  Yankee  plan,  namely,  of 
piling  logs  across  the  road,  filling  the  interstices  with  small 
limbs,  and  covering  with  mud ;  but  timber  was  not  to  be  pro- 
cured for  such  a  purpose ;  what  little  there  might  be  was  eco- 
nomically served  out  for  fuel. 


114  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

On  arriving  at  Eichmond  a  wonderful  contrast  to  the  well- 
disciplined  order  of  Manassas  presented  itself.  The  Govern- 
ment offices  were  quiet  and  business-like,  but  no  other  part  of 
the  capital  was  so.  The  hotels  were  crowded  to  excess,  as  they 
always  are ;  and  great  numbers  of  officers  in  expensive  uni- 
forms strutted  about, on  "  sick  leave,"  many  of  whom  had  never 
been  in  the  army  at  all,  and  after  running  up  bills  with  all 
classes  of  tradesmen,  would  suddenly  depart  for  parts,  unknown. 
The  marvel  was,  that  people  could  be  so  deceived,  for  it  is  no 
exaggeration  to  say  that  every  third  man  was  dignified  with 
shoulder-straps,  and  collectively  they  far  outnumbered  all  the 
officers  at  Manassas !  In  theatres,  bar-rooms,  and  shops,  on 
horseback  or  on  foot,  all  wore  the  insignia  of  office.  Not  one 
was  to  be  found  of  less  rank  than  captain,  and  as  for  colonels — 
their  name  was  legion  !  I  was  measured  by  a  youth  for  a  pair 
of  boots,  and  bought  some  dry-goods  of  another,  one  morning ;  . 
in  the  evening  I  saw  both  of  them  playing  at  billiards  at  the 
"  Spottswood,"  dressed  out  in  bran-new  uniforms,  with  insignia 
belonging  to  the  rank  of  major  1  This  was  sufficient  explana- 
tion ;  and  it  did  not  at  all  surprise  me  afterwards  to  hear  that 
nearly  all  the  thousand  and  one  gambling  hells  were  kept  by 
captains,  majors,  and  colonels.  General  Winder,  the  provost- 
marshal,  subsequently  made  it  a  punishable  offence  for  any  to 
assume  uniforms  except  soldiers.  The  change  was  sudden  and 
ludicrous  in  effect. 

The  floating  population  of  Eichmond  was  made  up  of  the 
strangest  elements.  Some  came  to  see  friends,  others  with 
wonderful  inventions  or  suggestions  for  Government.  Not  a 
few  were  impressed  with  an  idea  that  the  Cabinet  needed  their 
advice  and  counsel ;  but  the  majority  of  these  strangers  came 
with  the  modest  determination  to  offer  their  services  at  large 
salaries,  pretending  that  if  they  were  not  accepted  for  this  or 
that  office,  some  State  or  other  would  feel  humbled,  perhaps 
secede  from  the  Confederacy,  and  I  know  not  what.  It  was 
laughable  indeed  to  hear  the  self-sacrificing  Solons  holding 
forth  in  bar-rooms  'or  in  private.  Their  ideas  of  all  things 
military  were  decidedly  rich,  and  would  have  astonished  poor 
Johnston  or  Beauregard,  who  were  put  down  as  mere  school- 
boys beside  them.  General  Washington  Dobbs,  who  had  been 


EICHMOND.  115 

engaged  all  his  life  in  the  leather  business  somewhere  in, 
Georgia,  had  come  up  to  proffer  his  valuable  services  as  briga- 
dier; but  being  unsuccessful,  his  patriotism  and  indignation 
electrified  the  whole  private  family  where  he  boarded.  Colonel 
Madison  Warren,  some  poor  relation  of  the  English  blacking- 
maker,  had  lived  in  some  out-of-the-way  swamp  in  the  Caro- 
linas ;  he  came  to  Kichmond  to  have  a  private  talk  with  the 
President,  to  let  him  know  what  he  thought  about  General 
McClellan  and  old  Scott.  Not  getting  an  audience,  he  offered 
himself  for  the  vacancy  of  quartermaster-general,  and  not  being 
accepted,  was  sure  that  Jefferson  Davis  was  a  despot,  and  that 
the  Southern  Confederacy  was  fast  going  to  the  devil. 

Smith  had  a  self-loading,  self-priming  field-piece,  that  would 
fire  a  hundred  times  a  minute,  and  never  miss.  Each  gun 
would  only  weigh  twenty  tons,  and  cost  ten  thousand  dollars. 
He  had  asked  a  commission  to  make  a  thousand  of  them  only, 
was  willing  to  give  Government  the  patent  right  gratis ;  and 
they  would  not  listen  to  him !  How  could  the  South  succeed 
when  neglecting  such  men  as  Smith  ?  Jones  was  another  type 
of  a  numerous  class  of  patriots.  Tracts  were  necessary  food 
for  the  soldiers.  He  (Jones)  "  only  "  wanted  the  Government 
to  start  a  large  Bible  and  Tract  house,  give  him  the  control  of 
it,  and  he  would  guarantee  to  print  as  many  as  were  needed, 
and  sell  them  as  cheaply  as  any  body  else,  considering  the  high 
price  of  every  thing.  Jones,  like  a  thousand  others,  did  not 
succeed  with  any  of  the  departments,  and  after  being  jammed 
and  pushed  about  in  the  various  lobbies  and  staircases  for  a 
whole  month,  arrived  at  the  conclusion '  that  the  Confederate 
Government  was  not  "sound"  on  the  Bible  question,  and, 
therefore,  ought  not  to  be  trusted  in  this  enlightened  and  gos- 
pel-preaching age ! 

When  the  high  price  of  every  necessary  is  considered,  it 
appears  strange  that  the  city  should  be  so  crowded.  Boarding 
averaged  from  two  dollars  to  five  dollars  per  day  at  the  hotels, 
and  not  less  than  ten  dollars  per  week  in  any  family.  Boots 
were  thirty-five  dollars  per  pair ;  a  suit  of  clothes  (civil)  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five  dollars ;  military,  two  hundred  dollars,  or 
more;  whiskey  (very  inferior)  five  dollars  per  quart;  other 
liquors  and  wines  in  proportion ;  smoking  tobacco,  one  dollar 
and  fifty  cents  per  pound ;  socks,  one  dollar  per  pair ;  shoes, 


116  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

eighteen  dollars  to  twenty-five  dollars ;  hair-cutting  and  shaving, 
one  dollar ;  bath,  fifty  cents ;  cigars  (inferior)  four  for  one  dol- 
lar, etc.  The  city,  however,  knew  no  interruption  to  the  stream 
of  its  floating  population,  and  balls,  parties,  and  theatres,  made 
a  merry  world  of  it ;  and  Frenchmen  say,  it  was  Paris  in  imm- 
ature. Four  in  the  afternoon  was  grand  promenade  hour ;  and, 
in  fine  weather,  the  small  park  and  principal  streets  were 
crowded.  Military  and  naval  officers  would  sun  themselves 
on  balconies,  or  stretch  their  limbs  elegantly  at  hotel-doors. 
Here  it  was  that  I  first  saw  Commodore  Lynch  (late  U.  S.  N.) 
of  "Dead  Sea"  notoriety  in  literature,  and  Commodore  Hollins, 
the  "  hero  "  (?)  of  Grey  town. 

The  first-named  was  a  small,  quiet,  Jewish-looking  man  of 
about  fifty;  thin,  sallow  complexion,  and  curly  black  hair, 
small  black  eyeSj  and  very  meek  in  appearance;  wearing  a 
cloak,  like  a  man  of  economical.habits  and  limited  means.  No 
one  would  take  him  for  the  "Tartar"  which  he  undoubtedly  is, 
when  aroused ;  he  is  indefatigable  in  all  that  pertains  to  naval 
affairs.  Hollins  is  about  five  feet  six  inches,  broad-shoul- 
dered and  stout,  grey  hair,  whiskers,  and  moustaches,  full  face, 
a  fine  forehead,  a  lively  blue  eye,  slow  and  solemn  in  deport- 
ment and  conversation.  He  always  seems  to  be  walking  on 
the  quarter-deck,  with  his  eye  on  the  shrouds.  No  one  would 
take  him  to  be  a  person  of  much  energy,  ashore,  but  every 
movement  betrayed  that  his  proper  station  was  that  of  com- 
mander of  a  seventy-four.  He  wore  a  plain  dark  grey  suit 
and  cap  trimmed  with  a  gold  band,  on  which  was  prominent 
the  anchor  and  cables — in  such  a  costume  he  looked  more  like 
an  old  major  of  foot  than  any  thing  else. 

Hollins's  son  and  myself  were  soon  fast  friends  ;  and  through 
him  I  became  acquainted  with  many  persons,  who  have  since 
become  distinguished  in  the  war.  Eoger  Pryor,  a  Virginian 
and  brigadier,  was  formerly  Congressman  from  Virginia,  and 
distinguished  himself  in  the  halls  of  legislation  more  by  his 
combativeness  than  eloquence ;  more  than  once  he  challenged 
the  Northerners  who  were  disrespectful  in  their  language  to- 
wards the  South.  He  is  a  young  man,  rather  thin  and  tall, 
with  a  feminine  face,  delicate  moustaches,  and  long  black  hair. 
He  is  veritably  one  of  the  "  fire-eaters,"  and  with  a  brigade  of 


MAJOR-GENERAL  MAGRUDER.  117 

Mississippians  once  under  his  command,  and  lately  of  Louisi- 
anians,  he  has  made  his  name^famous.  Major-General  Magruder 
is  about  forty  years  of  age,  thick-set,  voluptuous  in  appearance, 
very  dressy  and  dandified,  "  showy  "  in  his  style  and  bearing, 
and  nearly  always  mounted.  He  was  an  artillery  officer  in 
Mexico,  under  Scott,  and  gained  an  enviable  name  for  efficiency 
in  that  branch,  as  also  in  engineering.  He  looks  like  a  man  too 
much  given  to  dissipation,  and  is  incapable  of  planning  a  bat- 
tle, although  very  vigorous  in  fighting  one.  If  appointed  to 
fortify  a  place,  there  is  no  man  on  the  continent  that  could  do 
it  better.  He  commanded  the  small  Confederate  force  that 
defeated  Butler  in  the  engagement  at  Little  Bethel,  and  was 
ably  assisted  by  Colonel  D.  H.  Hill,-  now  a  General,  command- 
ing at  Leesburgh.  When  the  war  commenced,  Magruder  was 
registered  on  the  U.  S.  army  roll,  "  Captain  company  I,  First 
Artillery."  I  saw  dozens  of  other  generals,  since  known  to 
fame,  and '  conversed  with  many,  but  defer  speaking  of  them 
until  their  names  occur  as  prominent  actors  on  the  stage  of 
events. 


CHAPTEK  XIV. 

The  Battle  of  Belmont,  on  the  Mississippi,  described  in  a  Letter  from  a  Friend — 
The  Forces  of  General  Pillow  surprised  by  Grant — The  Southern  Troops  nar- 
rowly escape  a  Defeat — Keenforcements  from  General  Polk  and  Columbus — Ar- 
rival of  Polk  on  the  Field — The  Federal  Troops  defeated  and  Spoils  taken — 
Characters  of  General  Pillow  and  General  Polk  compared — Misrepresentations 
of  the  Northern  Press. 

I  HAD  only  just  returned  to  mj  regiment  at  Leesburgh  when 
I  received  a  letter  from  a  Kentucky  friend,  serving  under  Gen- 
eral Polk,  at  Columbus,  descriptive  of  the  engagement  at  Bel- 
mont, which  had  been  fought  some  time  before  at  the  village 
of  that  name  in  Missouri : 

"  Columbus,  Ky.,  Nov.  lOtfi,  1861. 

"DEAR  TOM:  You  will,  ere  this  reaches  you,  have  heard 
more  than  one  account  of  the  late  fight  at  Belmont ;  but  this 
will  satisfy  you  that  I  am  all  right,  and  ready  to  have  another 
1  shake '  with  the  Great  Anaconda,  so  much  talked  of  in  the 
North.  In  my  former  letter,  I  fully  informed  you  of  the  stu- 
pendous works  raised  here  by  General  Gustavus  Smith,  and  of 
our  having  occupied  Belmont  opposite,  so  as  to  command  both 
banks  of  the  stream.  But  the  enemy  appeared  to  know  as 
well  as  we  did  that  our  force  on  the  west  bank  was  not  very 
formidable,  nor  our  works  of  a  very  threatening  character,  and 
so  determined  to  surprise  General  Pillow  some  fine  morning. 

"In  pursuance  of  his  amiable  purpose,  Grant  collected  a 
fleet  of  large  river  steamboats,  and  embarking  at  night,  steamed 
down  the  river  unobserved.  Within  a  few  miles  of  Columbus 
and  Belmont,  the  river  makes  a  sudden  bend,  and  behind  this 
bend  Grant  disembarked  his  forces,  and  began  to  advance  to- 
wards Belmont,  through  the  woods.  When  morning  broke, 
the  action  commenced ;  the  first  intimation  of  the  enemy's  pres- 
ence being  a  succession  of  rapid  volleys.  The  troops  were  soon 
under  arms,  but  the  sudden  surprise  precluded  all  idea  of  a  regu- 
lar line  or  plan  of  battle.  We  at  Columbus  had  heard  the  rapid 


BALTLE  OF  BELMONT.  119 

fire  for  more  than  an  hour,  but  knew  not  its  cause.  The  word 
was  passed  to  our  brigade  to  '  fall  in ;'  and  before  we  could  con- 
jecture the  meaning  of  all  this,  General  Polk  rode  up,  and  inform- 
ed us,  very  briefly,  that  Pillow  had  been  attacked  by  an  over- 
whelming force  under  Grant,  and  that  we  were  going  to  the 
rescue. 

"  In  a  short  time  we  were  steaming  across — not  to  Belmont, 
but  towards  the  Yankee  landing-place  up  the  river,  keeping  as 
close  in  shore  as  possible  to  avoid  notice ;  for  had  the  enemy 
boldly  advanced  down  the  river,  and  engaged  the  boats,  disre- 
garding our  batteries,  nothing  in  the  world  could  have  saved 
us.  We  had  not  proceeded  far,  when  their  guns  on  the  battle- 
field were  turned  against  us,'  but  without  effect,  and  we  were 
soon  landed  in  the  timber  on  the  enemy's  flank  and  rear.  Ad- 
vancing out  of  the  woods  into  the  '  open/  we  were  received 
with  volleys  of  musketry  and  grape ;  but  the  aim  was  too  high? 
or  many  would  have  suffered.  When  wa  arrived  at  close  quar- 
ters, we  discovered  the  enemy  rapidly  falling  back  from  their 
main  attack,  and  seeking  to  regain  their  boats.  Thus  invited} 
we  attacked  them  vigorously  with  the  bayonet,  and  for  a  fall 
hour  chased  them  through  woods  and  fields,  making  every  shot 
tell  among  the  retreating  crowd.  We  carjlured  several  pieces 
of  cannon,  and  drove  them  to  their  boats.  The  scene  at  the 
landing  was  awful.  The  miserable  wretches  were  rushing  on 
board  in  great  confusion,  while  our  men  kept  up  a  continual 
shower  of  lead  amongst  them.  We  made  several  attempts  to 
capture  some  of  the  boats,  but  did  not  succeed. 

"  Although  not  on  the  field  when  the  fight  opened,  I  fully 
understand  the  true  position  of  affairs,  and  must  say  that  the 
fight  was  a  desperate  one.  When  the  enemy  were  reported 
landing  troops  a  few  miles  above,  the  garrison  in  Belmont  con- 
sisted of  only  two  regiments.  Pillow,  with  four  regiments,  im- 
mediately crossed  and  assumed  command.  lie  had  scarcely 
done  so,  when  Grant's  advance  opened  fire,  and  the  fight  soon 
became  fierce  and  obstinate.  The  enemy,  who  knew  our  weak- 
ness, would  have  succeeded  in  surrounding  our  left  only  for  the 
destructive  fire  of  a  battery  placed  there,  and  the  rapidity  with 
which  troops  in  support  maintained  their  deadly  volleys.  This 
wing  was  severely,  taxed,  as  was  also  the  right ;  but  despite  all 


120  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

their  efforts,  the  enemy  could  not  force  them,  though  assisted 
by  powerful  artillery. 

"  Having  failed  in  his  attack  on  the  wings,  Grant  knew  there 
was  little  time  to  spare,  and  repeatedly  hurled  his  strongest 
force  at  our  centre,  which  occupied  open  ground.  The  firing 
here  was  incessant,  and  we  gradually  gave  way.  Pillow  then 
ordered  a  charge,  and  the  first  line  of  the  enemy  was  driven  in 
confusion  upon  their  reserves.  But  our  ammunition  now  began 
to  fail,  and  word  came  that  the  wings  could  not  maintain  their 
position  if  the  centre  gave  in,  as  there  was  every  reason  to  fear 
it  would  do.  Again  a  charge  was  ordered,  which  proved  no 
less  successful  than  tne  first.  It  was  now  found  that  our  only 
battery  had  not  a  cartridge  remaining,  and  most  of  the  troops 
were  similarly  circumstanced ;  there  was  no  alternative  but  to 
fall  back  until  reenforcements  should  arrive  from  Columbus. 

"  Taking  up  a  strong  position  on  the  river-bank,  Pillow  ar- 
ranged his  lines  for  the  final  assault  of  the  enemy ;  it  being  sup- 
posed, as  they  had  full  possession  of  our  camps,  and  were  firing 
them,  that  Grant  would  hurry  forward  his  columns,  and  give 
us  no  time  to  re-form.  As  fortune  would  have  it,  three  regi- 
ments arrived  at  this  critical  moment  to  reenforce  us,  and  it  was 
determined  to  move  them  up  the  river-bank  and  get  in  the 
enemy's  rear.  The  .enemy  had  seen  our  boats  crossing,  and 
played  on  them  with  a  heavy  battery ;  but  the  guns  at  Colum- 
bus replied,  and  in  a  few  moments  the  enemy's  pieces  were 
silenced.  Finding  that  Polk  himself  was  crossing,  and  landing 
troops  far  up  the  river  on  his  line  of  retreat,  Grant  immediately 
began  to  fall  back,  but  had  not  proceeded  far  when  he  encoun- 
tered Louisianians,  Mississippians,  Tennesseeans,  and  others 
formed  on  his  flanks,  subjecting  him  to  loss  every  moment, 
while  the  guns  at  Columbus  continued  rapidly  firing  across  the 
river,  and  from  the  high  position  of  the  works,  were  made  to 
tell  with  deadly  effect..  Under  these  circumstances  resistance 
was  hopeless,  and  Grant  reluctantly  ordered  a  retreat,  but  while 
conducting  it  was  subjected  to  a  terrific  cross-fire  from  our 
troops,  while  Polk  in  person  was  pushing  their  rear  vigorously, 
capturing  prisoners  and  arms  every  yard  of  the  road.  The  con- 
fusion, noise,  and  excitement  were  terrible,  the  enemy  rapidly 
retreating  to  their  boats,  and  our  advance  columns  pouring 


GENERAL  POLK.  121 

deadly  volleys  into  them ;  thus  almost  miraculously  changing 
a  defeat  into  a  glorious  triumph  for  our  arms. 

"The number  of  dead  and  dying  that  blocked  up  the  land- 
ing-place was  very  great,  and  it  seemed  a  matter  of  wonder  to 
me  how  so  many  men  could  have  successfully  embarked  and 
made  their  escape  in  so  short  a  time.  Had  our  officers  been 
active,  and  brought  down  some  field-pieces  in  time,  we  might 
have  disabled  the  boats,  and  caused  awful  havoc  among  their 
densely  packed  numbers.  We  captured  several  hundred  pri- 
soners, several  thousand  stand  of  arms,  and  a  few  cannon,  but, 
as  the  enemy  simply  came  with  their  arms,  and  did  not  even 
carry  a  blanket  to  impede  their  activity  in  this  enterprise,  little 
else  of  value. 

"  General  Pillow  has  to  thank  his  stars  that  Polk  so  quickly 
came  to  his  succor,  or,  instead  of  being  hailed  as  victors,  we 
might  all  have  been  snugly  provided  for  in  some  New-England 
fort  or  penitentiary.  Yet  his  vanity  is  not  less  conspicuous  now 
than  it  was  in  Mexico,  and  he  is  eternally  carping  at  "the 
bishop,"  as  l^e  terms  Polk,  who,  nevertheless,  is  a  capable  and 
laborious  commander,  accessible  at  all  times  by  high  and  low, 
a  thorough  disciplinarian,  and  fine  engineer.  If  he  chose  to 
leave  the  army  in  former  times  and  enter  the"  Episcopal  Church, 
and  become  a  learned  bishop  among  his  brethren,  it  surely  does 
not  detract  from  his  repute  as  a  gentleman,  a  Christian,  and  a 
scholar,  to  say  that  he  resigned  his  charge  in  answer  to  the 
especial  call  of  the  Executive,  who  demanded  the  service  of  all 
talented  men  in  behalf  of  the  common  cause.  Polk  was  a  good 
bishop ;  he  is  now  an  excellent  and  accomplished  Major-Gen- 
eral, and  possesses  the  entire  confidence,  love,  and  respect  of 
all  who  know  or  serve  under  him.  Pillow  is  annoyed,  how- 
ever, because  he  himself  was  not  placed  in  chief  command  at 
Columbus — a  position  for  which  he  is  totally  unfitted,  as  subse- 
quent events  will  fully  demonstrate. 

*'  But  to  return  to  the  battle.  This,  as  you  know,  is  the  first 
time  I  have  ever  been  under  fire,  and  I  confess  I  felt  very  un- 
comfortable. "We  were  convinced  that  our  boys  had  been 
having  the  worst  of  it  all  the  morning,  or  our  haste  would  not 
have  been  so  pressing.  We  had  scarcely  landed  when  one  of 
Pillow's  orderlies  rode  up  and  begged  us  for  God's  sake  '  to  hur- 
ry up,'  as  the  boys  were  hard  pressed,  and  had  been  fighting  a 


122  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE   SOUTH. 

long  time  against  odds,  and  were  only  recovering  from  the  con- 
fusion in  which  they  had  been  thrown.  As  we  marched  out 
into  open  ground  we  gave  loud  yells,  and  commenced  firing. 
Many  of  our  men  falling  every  moment,  the  thought  continu- 
ally occurred  to  me  that  my  turn  would  come  next,  yet  inspired 
by  the  example  of  our  officers,  we  rushed  to  close  quarters, 
determined  to  bring  matters  to  a  conclusion.  But  enough ;  I 
shall  not  attempt  to  describe  further  this  battle-field  to  you,  but 
conclude,  humbly  thanking  God  for  the  victory. 

"I  have  to-day  received  late  Northern  papers;  it  is  unneces- 
sary to  say  that  Belmont  is  put  down  as  '  Another  National 
Victory,'  etc.,  in  very  large  capitals,  with  '  full  accounts  of  the 
Eebel  loss.'  To  believe  these  scribbling  fools,  '  the  back-bone 
of  the  rebellion '  is  well-nigh  broken ;  yet,  between  ourselves, 
I  think  the  job  will  prove  too  big,  and  break  their  hearts  and 
pockets  over  it  first.  .  .  .  Yours,  as  ever, 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Winter  Quarters  continued — Scant  Rations  supplied  to  the  Troops — High  Prices  of 
Provisions  and  Clothing  resulting  from  the  Blockade — Sufferings  of  the  Poor — 
Refugees  from  Kentucky — True  State  of  Public  Feeling  there — Letter  from  a 
Friend,  containing  an  Account  of  the  Opening  of  the  Campaign  in  Kentucky  and 
Tennessee* — Battle  of  Mill  Spring,  January  first,  1862 — General  Zollicoffer  and 
most  of  his  Staff  killed — Surrender  of  Fort  Donelson,  February  ninth — Strange 
Conduct  of  General  Floyd. 

THE  monotony  of  camp  life  was  felt  severely  during  the 
winter,  notwithstanding  the  resources  I  have  mentioned  in  a 
previous  chapter.  General  Hill  was  a  strict  disciplinarian,  and 
would  permit  none  to  be  out  in  town  after  nightfall,  unless  fur- 
nished with  a  pass  countersigned  by  the  Provost-Marshal  So 
strictly  was  this  rule  enforced  that  I  have  known  a  whole  squad 
of  officers  arrested  and  put  under  guard,  including  two  full- 
blown Colonels  and  sundry  Majors,  simply  for  going  to  and  fro 
unarmed  with  the  necessary  "countersign." 

With  books  and  writing  materials,  many  of  us  made  the 
winter  evenings  pass  off  very  agreeably,  while  others  had  be- 
come proficient  in  vocal  and  instrumental  music ;  so  that  if  we 
could  only  smuggle  a  gallon  of  apple-brandy  into  camp,  a  roar- 
ing  fire  of  logs,  pleasant  punch,  and  entertaining  society  made 
our  cabins  very  enjoyable. 

The  usual  discomforts  of  a  deficient  commissariat  we  had  of 
course  to  endure :  a  variety  of  rations  were  allowed  which  were 
never  forthcoming.  Coffee,  sugar,  rice,  vegetables,  and  beans, 
we  never  had,  save  for  two  or  three  weeks  during  the  first  year 
of  service ;  we  knew,  however,  that  Government  did  the  best 
it  could,  and  therefore,  as  patriots,  did  not  murmur,  but  bought 
what  we  could.  Coffee,  as  Southerners,  we  could  not  do  with- 
out ;  hence,  if  on  picket,  we  exchanged  tobacco  for  it  with  the 
Yankees,  but  otherwise  used  parched  barley  as  a  substitute,  as 
the  whole  South  was  cheerfully  doing.  Bacon  or  beef,  with 
baker's  bread,  or  flour,  were  the  only  rations  we  had  regularly: 


124  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE  SOUTH. 

any  luxurious  addition  to  this  simple  fare  we  had  to  purchase, 
and  this  at  the  most  preposterously  high  price. 

For  example :  even  in  this,  an  agricultural  country,  turkeys 
sold  for  four  dollars  and  five  dollars  each  ;  two  chickens,  ditto ; 
wretched  liquors  at  twenty  dollars  and  thirty  dollars  per  gallon, 
and  seldom  to  be  had  even  at  that ;  common  coarse  homespun 
jeans,  five  dollars  per  yard ;  common  Manchester  prints,  one  dol- 
lar per  yard ;  common  white  cotton  shirts,  five  dollars  each ; 
linen,  ten  dollars ;  cotton  socks,  one  dollar  per  pair ;  boots,  com- 
mon, and  clumsily  made,  twenty  dollars  to  thirty-five  dollars 
per  pair ;  common  felt  hat,  ten  dollars ;  coffee,  three  dollars  per 
pound  ;  tea,  five  dollars ;  brown  sugar,  fifty  cents  per  pound ; 
white,  seventy-five  cents ;  flour,  twelve  dollars  to  fifteen  dollars 
per  barrel ;  bath,  seventy-five  cents ;  hair-cutting,  seventy-five 
cents ;  shaving,  twenty-five  cents ;  washing,  three  dollars  per 
dozen;  the  most  common  writing-paper,  twenty  ^  dollars  to 
twenty-five  dollars  per  ream ;  printing  paper  was  not  to  be  had 
at  any  price — many  suspended  publishing,  others  printed  a  sheet 
not  much  larger  than  quarto ;  horse's  feed. per  day,  two  dollars ; 
boarding,  from  fifty  dollars  to  one  hundred  dollars  per  month — 
one  dollar  per  single  meal.  These  items  may  suggest  to  the 
thoughtful  what  great  trials  and  privations  the  poor  had  to  en- 
dure in  consequence  of  the  war ! 

With  regard  to  wearing  apparel,  when  money  and  cloth  were 
exhausted,  friends  at  home  would  send  on  our  cast-off  clothes, 
in  big  bales,  together  with  whatever  the  numerous  "  soldier- 
serving  societies  "  could  furnish  ;  so  that,  all  in  all,  although  we 
looked  like  a  regiment  of  dilapidated  dandies,  we  were  warmly 
clad,  and  laughed  good-humoredly  at  each  other's  grotesque 
peculiarities  of  costume.  I  have  more  than  once  caught  our 
good  old  major  darning  his  socks,  and  espied  the  spruce,  good- 
looking  adjutant  cobbling  up  his  parade  boots !  The  ladies, 
Heaven  bless  them  1  were  ever  at  work,  night  and  day,  in  our 
behalf — their  flannel  petticoats  have  been  made  into  under- 
shirts; their  white  skirts  converted  into  lint;  and  I  have 
known  the  blankets  snatched  from  their  beds  and  sent  to  the 
soldier,  shivering  on  the  snow-covered  hills  or  plains  of  Yir- 
ginia. 

Dtring  the  winter  we  received  several  excellent  recruits  from 


KENTUCKY  BETRAYED.  125 

Kentucky,  who  had  successfully  run  the  "blockade,  "and  joined 
our  fortunes.  I  personally  knew  them  when  in  college',  and 
was  much  interested  in  the  intelligence  they  brought  concerning 
the  affairs  of  that  State.  The  revolutionary  party  had  formed  a 
Provisional  Government  and  passed  acts  of  secession ;  still  Gov- 
ernor Magoffin  filled  the  chair,  to  which  he  had  been  elected 
before  the  war,  and  his  term  was  not  expired.  •  "When  hostili- 
ties commenced,  no  one  doubted  which  cause  had  the  sympa- 
thies of  the  people  of  Kentucky,  but  by  artifice  men  were 
admitted  to  her  councils,  who,  under  the  name  of  "  neutrals/' 
played  fast  and  loose  with  the  populace,  until  Lincoln  perfected 
his  plans  for  their  enthrallment.  It  was  argued  by  these  lead- 
ing men,  that  Kentucky  was,  and  always  had  been,  a  true 
Southern  State,  and  would  so  remain,  but  in  this  quarrel  of 
"  extremes  "  she  would  preserve  a  strict  and  "  armed  neutral- 
ity !"  —  an  idea  that  could  only  have  found  favor  with  a  people 
who  had  been  taught  from  childhood  to  believe  in  State  Eights, 
and  who  scoffed  at  the  idea  "  that  any  man  could  be  found  who 
should  dare  to  interfere  with  the  sanctity  of  the  Constitution." 

When  the  plans  of  the  Northern  Government  were  matured, 
the  people  of  Kentucky  had  not  to  wait  long  to  find  the  man 
"  who  should  dare"  etc.,  for  the  Secretary  of  State  coolly  took 
"upon  himself  the  direction*  of  their  State  affairs,  elected  whom 
he  pleased,  and  imprisoned  whom  he  desired.  When  compelled 
to  supply  her  quota  for  the  war,  the  Lincolnites  officered  the 
men,  monopolized  every  contract,  dictated  laws  to  the  State, 
and,  in  short,  ruled  with  a  rod  of  iron.  No  one  was  permitted 
to  pass  from  city  to  city  without  having  sworn  allegiance ; 
schools  were  invaded,  and  Southern  children  held  as  hostages 
for  the  behavior  of  their  parents !  property  was  confiscated, 
men  were  thrown  into  loathsome  dungeons  on  mere  suspicion, 
negroes  were  taught  to  despise,  mock,  whip,  and  murder  their 
late  masters,  while  mothers,  daughters,  or  sisters  were  insulted, 
violated,  and  murdered.  Such  were  the  results  brought  about 
by  the  treachery  or  cowardice  of  those  whom  the  people  elected 
in  good  faith  to  expound  their  views,  and  among  the/  betrayers 
of  the  parent  State  must  be  numbered  one  of  her  own  most 
gifted  and  trusted  sons.  As  long  as  history  lasts  will  his  name 
be  handed  down  with  curses  and  maledictions.  t. 

My  knowledge  of  the  campaign  in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee 


126  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

is  derived  solely  from  friends  who  participated  in  it ;  among 
other  letters  received  by  me,  I  present  the  following  from  a 
young  artillery  officer,  who  had  good  opportunities  for  knowing 
the  facts  of  which  he  speaks  : 

"  Bowling  Green,  Green  River,  Ky.,  Jan.  20<A,  1862. 

"  DEAR  TOM  :  If  there  is  one  class  of  persons  more  likely 
than  another  to  bring  disaster  upon  our  sacred  cause,  it  will 
be  those  half-witted  editors  who  imagine  that  every  thing  is 
wrong  which  they  do  not  themselves  comprehend.  Before  I 
came  to  Bowling  Green  I  must  confess  that  their  articles  had 
some  influence  upon  •  me ;  and  I,  among  the  rest,  could  not 
'  see  why  Sidney  Johnston  did  not  muster  his  forces,  advance 
farther  into  Kentucky,  capture  Louisville,  push  across  the 
Ohio,  sack  Cincinnati,  and  carry  the  war  into  Africa,'  etc.  But 
since  my  arrival  here,  my  thoughts  have  materially  changed, 
and  my  wonder  now  is,  how  the  commander  has  courage  enough 
to  stay  where  he  is,  and  how  he  has  managed  to  deceive  the 
enemy  as  to  his  real  strength.  We  were  led  to  believe  that 
there  were  at  least  one  hundred  thousand  men  here,  and  that 
the  fortifications  were  frowning  terrifically  with  cannon.  All 
this,  my  friend,  is  pure  fiction.  We  have  not  more  than 
twenty-five  thousand  men,  all  told,  and  I  think  cannot  count 
more  than  fifty  light  field-pieces.  ft  is  true,  we  have  some  few 
dozen  heavy  siege-guns,  but  by  no  means  enough  to  frighten 
an  enemy  seriously  bent  on  mischief.  The  position  of  Bowling 
Green  is  an  admirably  selected  one,  with  Green  Eiver  along 
our  front,  and  railway  communication  to  Nashville  and  the 
whole  South.  Had  we  simply  to  contend  with  an  enemy  ad- 
vancing from  Louisville,  and  attacking  in  front,  we  should  have 
nothing  to  fear ;  but,  as  you  are  aware,  our  flanks  and  rear  are 
threatened  by  an  immense  force,  and,  although  they  have  made 
no  demonstrations  in  those  quarters,  I  cannot  believe  their  gene- 
rals to  be  so  blind  as  to  be  unaware  of  their  advantages  by  the 
Cumberland  and  Tennessee  rivers.  Grant,  who  is  now  at  Cairo, 
longs  for  an  opportunity  to  retrieve  his  disgrace  at  Belmont, 
and  while  he  has  full  command  of  the  rivers,  there  is  nothing 
to  prevent  him  from  advancing  with  his  gun-boats  and  trans- 
ports upon  Nashville.  True,  the  rivers  are  low  at  present,  and 
it  may  be  a  question  whether  his  vessels  can  ascend  them,  even 
at  a  flood  —  this  remains  to  be  seen.  The  only  warlike  obstruc- 


POSITION  AT  BOWLING  GREEN.  127 

tions  to  his  progress  would  be  Forts  Henry  and  Donelsoh.  If, 
when  Buell  advances  in  concert,  we  do  not  '  get  out  of  the  way 
in  a  hurry,'  the  Anaconda  may  give  this  little  army  a  hug  not 
pleasing  to  our  prospects." 

The  subjoined  is  part  of  a  letter  from  the  same  friend,  at  a 
later  date,  descriptive  of  engagements  in  which  he  participated : 

"  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  Feb.  20th,  1862. 

"  FEIEND  TOM  :  I  am  '  hit '  at  last,  and  must  tell  you  all 
about  it.  "When  writing  to  you  last  from  Bowling  Green,  I 
had  apprehensions  that  all  was  not  going  on  well  with  us,  and 
stories  were  circulated  round  head-quarters  regarding  'im- 
mense forces'  'somewhere;'  by  which  there  was  reason  to 
conclude  we  should  be  compelled  to  relinquish  our  hold  of 
Kentucky,  and*  possibly  cross  the  Tennessee  I  We  were  not 
long"  left  in  suspense.  Buell  dared  not  attack  us  in  front,  but 
waited  for  Grant  to  ascend  the  Cumberland  in  our  rear.  Our 
right  flank  was  threatened  also  by  a  large  Federal  force  under 
Thomas  at  Somerset,  which  was  advancing  against  Crittenden's 
small  force  at  Beech  Grove. 

"  Zollicoffer,  being  but  second  in  command  to  Crittenden 
at  Beech  Grove,  had  but  little  influence  in  the  management. 
Our  troops  had  been  almost  in  a  starving  condition  for  some 
"time,  and  had  but  scant  rations  for  several  months.  Crittenden 
was  fully  informed  of  the  Federal  advance  at  Columbia  and 
Somerset,  but  did  little  to  prepare  for  the  attack.  In  fact,  it  is 
said  that  he  was  incapable  of  commanding,  from  social  failings, 
and  did  not  heed  the  many  warnings  of  friends,  who  foresaw 
that  the  enemy  were  bent  on  surrounding  him.  On  learning 
that  Thomas  was  at  Mill  Spring,  Crittenden  set  out  to  meet 
him,  thinking  it  possible  to  drive  him  from  his  fortified  camps. 
On  the  morning  of  the  nineteenth  of  January,  (Sunday,)  Zolli- 
cofTer's  advance  exchanged  shots  with  the  enemy,  and  the  bat- 
tle opened  with  great  fury.  Zollicoffer's  brigade  pushed  ahead, 
and  drove  the  Federals  some  distance  through  the  woods,  and 
were  endeavoring  to  force  their  way  to  the  summit  of  a  hill 
which  fully  commanded  the  whole  field.  The  Federals  fought 
desperately  for  this  position,'  but  scarcely  any  thing  could  with- 
stand the  dashing  onset  of  our  troops.  Misinformed  as  to  their 
true  position  and  number,  Zollicoffer  was  rapidly  advancing 
up-hill,  but  unexpectedly  rode  up  to  an  Indiana  regiment,  mis- 


128  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

taking*  it  for  one  of  his  own.  Not  being  able  to  retreat,  ho 
determined  to  sell  his  life  dearly,  so  rode  forward  with  his  staff, 
and  began  pistolling  right  ,and  left  at  the  officers,  but  goon  fell, 
mortally  wounded,  and  with  him  most  of  his  staff.  The  fall  of 
this  commander  greatly  confused  the  troops ;  but  finding  him- 
self overpowered,  and  determined  to  make  a  bold  push  for 
victory,  Crittenden  himself  rode  to  the  front,  and  endeavored 
to  gain  the  hill :  after  three'  hours'  fighting,  he  was  obliged  to 
retreat  to  Beech  Grove  and  push  onwards  to  the  Cumberland, 
leaving  many  dead,  wounded,  some  prisoners,  stores,  a  few 
pieces  of  cannon,  and  other  things  behind  him.* 

"  When  this  news  was  brought  to  Bowling  Green,  it  ex- 
plained why  Johnston  had  been  so  careful  in  transporting  all 
supplies  and  ordnance  to  the  rear  for  more  than  two  weeks. 
None  doubted  that  a  retreat  was  inevitable : .  the  enemy  had 
shown  their  strength  on  our  right,  and  driven  in  Crittenden, 
while  Grant  was  preparing  to  ascend  the  Cumberland.  The 
fortifications  were  dismantled  and  blown  up.  General  Buckner 
watched  Green  River  and  our  whole  front ;  the  sick  and  bag- 
gage had  been  sent  away  many  days  before ;  and  while  Buckner 
was  engaging  the  enemy  along  the  river-bank,  our  whole  force 
departed. 

"  Floyd,  as  you  will  remember,  had  been  under  Lee  in  West- 
ern Virginia,  among  the  mountains,  but  as  that  campaign,  from 
paucity  of  numbers  on  our  part,  had  been  productive  of  more  ex- 
pense than  profit,  he  was  ordered  to  cross  the  mountains  and 
report  to  Johnston  at  Bowling  Green.  His  force  was  a  small  one, 
but  well  seasoned ;  so  that,  upon  Grant  appearing  in  the  Cumber- 
land, he  was  ordered  to  Fort  Donelson,  and  was  chief  in  com- 
mand by  seniority.  Buckner's  force  was  also  ordered  there,  and 

*  General  George  B.  Crittenden  is  a  Kentuckian,  about  fifty-five  years  of  age. 
He  entered  the  United  States  service  as  brevet  Second  Lieutenant,  Fourth  In- 
fantry, July  first,  1832  ;  resigned  April  thirtieth,  1833,  was  appointed  Captain  of 
Mounted  Rifles,  May  twenty-seventh,  1846,  and  served  with  much  distinction  in 
the' Mexican  war,  and  was  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel  Mounted  Rifles,  December 
thirtieth,  1856.  He  is  generally  considered  to  be  an  excellent  and  reliable  officer 
when  free  from  the  influence  of  drink  and  gay  company.  It  is  said  that,  previous 
to  his  appointment  as  commander  at  Beech  Grove,  he  had  rendered  himself  unfit 
for  service  by  intemperance,  and  there  are  many  who  protest  that  he  was  greatly 
under  the  influence  of  •liquor  during  the  battle  of  Mill  Spring.  This  vice  is  too 
prevalent  among  talented  men  of  the  South, 


DEFENCE  OF  DONELSON".  129 

jnyself  with  it,  but  our  total  strength  did  not  amount  to  more  than 
fifteen  thousand  men,  and  we  had  but  little  artillery.  Very 
soon  Grant  steamed  up  the  river,  and  having  captured  Fort 
Henry  without  difficulty,  approached  Donelson  to  find  it  pre- 
pared for  a  fierce  resistance.  His  fleet  of  steamboats  came  up 
within  a  few  miles  of  us  and  landed  immense  masses  of  troops, 
while  light-draught  iron-clad  gunboats  opened  on  us  fiercely, 
both  night  and  day.  When  the  Federal  troops  came  within 
view,  it  was  determined  to  march  out  and  give  them  battle. 
In  the  mean  time,  the  fort,  indeed,  kept  up  a  lively  fire  from 
three  tiers  of  guns  upon  the  boats,  doing  considerable  damage, 
and  keeping  off  their  steady  advance.  The  lower  tier,  or 
'  water  battery,'  as  it  was  termed,  was  served  splendidly,  and 
sank  several  vessels,  killing  commanders  of  note,  and  wounding 
Commodore  Foote,  chief  of  the  flotilla.  If  I  am  not  mistaken, 
we  engaged  twenty  gunboats,  and  sank  or  crippled  five. 

"  When  it  was  determined  to  give  battle  in  the  open  ground, 
our  men  were  jubilant,  and,  though  fully  aware  of  the  disparity 
of  numbers,  resolved  to  sell  their  lives  as  dearly  as  possible. 
Floyd,  Buckner,  and  Pillow  were  in  chief  command :  nothing 
could  withstand  the  impetuosity  of  our  men ;  they  heroically 
drove  the  enemy  before  them  at  all  points  with  the  bayonet. 
Still,  all  this  heroism  was  useless ;  fresh  divisions  of  the  enemy 
arrived  hourly,  and  each  day  saw  their  lines  around  us  growing 
stronger.  As  often  as  they  approached  our  outer  works  they 
were  repelled  with  great  slaughter ;  yet  other  regiments  would 
follow,  and  our  men,  completely  exhausted  from  want  of  rest 
and  food,  and  numbed  by  the  intense  cold  —  fires  were  pro- 
hibited within  the  works,  though  snow  and  rain  constantly 
fell — were  completely  unstrung  and  incapable  of  further  action. 
A  council  of  war  being  held,-  it  was  determined  to  march  out 
and  invite  battle,  rather  than  die  like  rats  in  a  hole.  Accord- 
ingly, for  the  third  time  we  marched  out  against  the  enemy ; 
but  we  found  them  fortified,  and  loth  to  meet. us  in  the  open, 
although  far  away  from  our  guns  and  under  the  protection  of 
their  own.  Never  did  men  fight  more  gloriously  than  ours : 
when  I  heard  their  yells  ringing  in  my  ears  as  they  advanced 
at  the  *  charge,'  I  almost  felt  tears  rolling  down  my  cheek,  as, 
wounded  in  the  arm,  I  retired  within  the  fort,  incapable  of  fur- 


130  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

ther  exertion.  This  day  was  the  most  glorious  of  all !  Well 
might  the  enemy  retire  to  the  woods  when  they  saw  the  boys 
advancing  with  deafening  shouts  and  levelled  bayonets.  All, 
from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  performed  their  part  with  ex- 
emplary valor,  and  I  may  safely  predict  that  the  defence  of 
Donelson  against  such  fearful  odds  will  be  one  of  the  brightest 
pages  in  our  future  history. 

"At  the  close  of  the  third  day — after  this  last  attack — a  grand 
council  of  war  was  held ;  what  its  purport  was  I  know  not,  but 
in  the  stillness  of  the  night  Forrest's,  cavalry  took  their  depart- 
ure by  the  only  point  of  egress  remaining,  and,  soon  afterwards, 
Floyd's  command  followed  them.  Thinking  the  movement  was 
general,  I  procured  a  horse,  and  arrived  at  Nashville.  General 
Pillow  also  made  his  escape  with  a  few  of  his  troops,  leaving 
the  brave  Kentuckian  Buckner  to  do  the  best  he  could  with  his 
small  command.  In  explanation  of  this  strange  proceeding  on 
the  part  of  our  chief,  I  hear  it  whispered  that  Floyd  was  afraid 
of  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  Federals,  having,  when  Secre- 
tary of  War  under  Buchanan,  surreptitiously  supplied  the  South 
with  more  than  the  fair  proportion  of  national  arms,  without 
which  the  war  could  not  have  beon  begun.  This  may  be  all 
true  enough,  but  can  never  exculpate  him  for  deserting  his  post 
at  such  a  trying  moment. 

"  As  might  have  been  expected,  Buckner  was  appalled  at  his 
situation,  and  after  the  departure  of  Pillow,  he  surrendered  the 
fort  and  the  remaining  troops  to  General  Grant,  who  spoke  in 
complimentary  terms  of  '  the  splendid  but  useless  resistance  of 
the  rebels.'  The  number  of  prisoners  was  about  six  thousand ; 
and  whatever  else  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  was  of  very 
little  value,  as  most  of  the  guns  were  spiked  or  broken,  and 
with  regard  to  stores,  we  had  none,  the  men,  with  but  few  ex- 
ceptions, not  having  tasted  food  for  three  days.  This  affair  has 
thrown  great  gloom  over  the  country,  and  of  course  is  the  sub- 
ject of  Hallelujah  Choruses  North!  Our  people  are  waking 
up,  however,  and  begin  to  understand  it  requires  numbers, 
as  well  as  'pluck,'  to  beat  back  the  invader;  and  I  have  no 
doubt,  when  properly  considered,  the  fall  of  Donelson  will  be 
an  invaluable  lesson  to  us.  Yours  ever,  *  *  *  " 


CHAPTER  XYI. 


Battle  of  "Elk  Horn,"  Missouri,  March  seventh,  1862 — Incidents  and  Sketches  of 
the  "War  in  that  State  —  Colonel  Fremont  superseded  in  the  Command  of  the 
Federals — General  Van  Dorn — Our  Guerrilla  Horse — Breach  of  Parole  by  North- 
ern Troops — McCulloch  and  Mclntosh  killed — Our  Forces  retire — The  Loss  on 
either  side. 

"  Elk  River,  McDonald  Co.,  Mo.,  Marth  14/A,  1862. 

"DEAR  TOM:  Your  last  was  received  and  perused  with  much 
pleasure,  and  here  am  I  on  the  confines  of  Missouri,  within  a 
few  hours'  travel  of  Arkansas  and  the  Cherokee  Indian  terri- 
tory, endeavoring  to  pen  a  few  lines  to  satisfy  your  ardent  curi- 
osity. You  have,  doubtless,  had  reports  of  our  previous  ma- 
noeuvres since  I  wrote  from  Lexington  in  September,  and  ere 
this  reaches  you  in  the  far  East,  a  thousand  newspapers  will 
have  related  very  curious^ales  regarding  our  recent  battle  with 
the  combined  forces  of  Curtis  and  Sturgis*  at  Elk  Horn,  a  few 
miles  from  here.  Still,  such  details  as  I  may  be  able  to  supply 
will  not  be  unacceptable  to  you. 

"  The  fall  of  Lexington  was  an  unexpected  and  heavy  blow 
to  the  Union  party  throughout  the  whole  North.  Fremont  was 
so  exasperated  that  he  instantly  began  to  muster  every  availa- 
ble man,  intendingrto  surround  and  capture  us.  Lane  had  been 
reenforced,  and  was  advancing  from  the  west ;  Sturgis  was  mov- 
ing from  the  north ;  while  Fremont,  with  a  heavy  command, 
began  to  advance  from  the  east,  thinking  to  cut  oft'  all  retreat 
by  the  south.  Our  victory,  however,  had  aroused  a  spirit  of  re- 
sistance throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  State,  and 
volunteers  flocked  to  Lexington  by  thousands.  A  few  days 
after  Mulligan's  surrender,  Price  had  not  less  than  twenty-five 
thousand  men  around  him,  but  lacked  arms,  provisions,  wagons, 
tents,  and  ammunition ;  and  besides  these,  from  ten  thousand  to 

*  Brigadier-General  Samuel  D.  Sturgis,  U.  S.  A.,  ranked  as  captain,  Company  E, 
First  Cavalry,  in  1860.  He  was  stationed  near  St.  Louis  when  the  troubles  com- 
menced, and  rose  rapidly.  .  . 


132  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE  SOUTH. 

fifteen  thousand  more  were  gathered  at  different  points  north  of 
the  river,  endeavoring  to  form  a  junction  with  us,  and,  like  the 
rest,  unarmed.  Price  had  been  promised  a  heavy  wagon  train . 
of  ammunition  and  provision  from  the  south-west,  and  McCul- 
loch  was  to  have  sent  an  escort  for  it,  but  after  many  trying  de- 
lays, it  was  known  that  the  train  was  not  on  its  way,  and  thou- 
sands of  recruits  were  obliged  to  disperse  to  their  homes  again, 
hoping  that  exe  long  things  would  be  more  favorable  for  taking 
the  field. 

"  With  almost  superhuman  exertions,  Price  managed  to  keep 
around  him  some  fifteen  thousand  men,  and  as  the  foe  were  clos- 
ing in  upon  him  from  different  directions,  started  the  baggage 
and  provisions  southward,  together  with  most  of  the  infantry ; 
at  the  same  time  ordering  the  cavalry  to  make  demonstrations 
calculated  to  deceive  Lane,  Sturgis,  and  Fremont.  The  cavalry 
acted  their  part  so  well  that  the  different  columns  of  the  enemy 
thought  themselves  threatened,  and  halted,  while  Price's  main 
army  had  stolen  several  long  marches  upon  them,  and  were 
making  rapidly  towards  the  south-west.  At  Springfield  we 
learned  that  a  different  plan  of  campaign  had  been  decided  upon 
by  the  Confederate  generals,  and  that*  Hardee's  forces  were  with- 
drawn from  the  south-east.  Pushing  on  towards  Neosha,  Price 
formed  a  junction  there  with  McCulloch,  and  the  Missouri  Leg- 
islature, in  full  session,  unanimously  passed  the  Ordinance  of 
Secession,  amid  salvos  of  artillery,  and  with  the  rapturous  ap- 
proval of  representatives  from  every  county  in  the  State. 

"  As  the  combined  forces  of  the  enemy  were  still  approach- 
ing in  great  numbers,  and  evidently  bent  on  mischief,  Price  and- 
McCulloch  fell  back  to  a  strong  position  at  Pineville,  (McDon- 
ald county,)  and  awaited  Fremont's  approach.  The  main  body 
of  the  Federals  were  at  Springfield,  but  had  an  advance  divi- 
sion much  nearer  the  Confederate  leaders  Our  boys  were  par- 
ticularly anxious  for  Fremont's  advance,  for  as  his  main  body 
was  composed  of  Dutch,  and  Germans,  they  looked  forward 
with  pleasure  to  the  task  of  thrashing  them.  Imagine  then,  if 
you  can,  our  astonishment  to  find,  from  prisoners,  that  Fremont 
had  been  thrust  from  the  command  by  Lincoln,  and  that  his 
whole  army,  in  a  state  of  mutiny,  was  running  a  race  towards 
Kolla  and  St.  Louis ! 


GENERAL  FREMONT  SUPERSEDED.          133 

"Here  -was  news  indeed!  Lincoln  'did  not  approve  Fre- 
mont's emancipation  proclamation  and  confiscating  programme ; 
the  North  were  fighting,'  he  said,  '  to  preserve  the  Constitution 
intact,  etc.,  and  that  we  should  be  treated  in  this  war  as  way- 
ward brethren,  whose  rights  were  guaranteed  on  return  to  duty.' 
Fremont's  heavy  expenditure  was  another  objection  to  him,  es- 
pecially as  Frank  Blair  and  other  pets  of  the  Administration 
had  so  little  influence  with  him,  and  he  had  forestalled  Lincoln 
himself  in  the  favor  of  the  abolitionists.  Political  aspirants 
thought,  too,  he  was  endeavoring  to  supplant  them  in  the  good 
graces  of  those  who  should  live  to  vote  in  1864,  and  his  ene- 
mies even  imagined  that  he  was  endeavoring  to  follow  in  the 
footprints  of  the  Napoleons,  and  make  himself  Emperor  of  all 
the  Dutch,  most  of  whom  had  flocked  around  him  like  geese 
from  all  parts  of  the.Union.  This  last  accusation  was  certainly 
groundless,. if  for  no  other  reason  simply  because  Fremont  lacked 
the  nerve  to  attempt  any  coup  so  dazzling.  Place  the  fact  in 
whatever  light  we  please,  Fremont  received  peremptory  orders 
to  resign,  and  the  messenger  had  the  greatest  difficulty  in  gain- 
ing admittance  to  his  tent;  the  whole  camp  being  in  a  terri- 
ble uproar,  and  all  discipline  abandoned !  Halleck,  the  Vera- 
cious, is  appointed  in  his  stead,  but  how  long  would  you  insure 
his  head  ? 

"On  learning  that  the  troops  of  Fremont  had  retreated, 
Price  immediately  prepared  for  the  pursuit  He  followed 
them  several  days,  capturing  many  prisoners  and  large  quan- 
tities of  stores,  and  at  last  halted  his  weary  column  at  Spring- 
field —  that  city  of  changing  masters !  It  seemed  unwise  to 
proceed  farther ;  the  enemy  had  halted  at  Holla,  or  a  little 
beyond,  vastly  superior  in  force,  and  were  making  preparations 
for  another  advance. 

"  While  recruiting  and  drilling  his  men,  Price  watched  for 
the  first  movements  of  the  foe,  and  early  in  January  they  be- 
gan to  advance.  Price  had  taken  up  a  strong  position  and  for- 
tified it,  expecting  that  McCulloch  would  move  forward  to  his 
assistance,  but  that  commander  did  not  stir,  nor  make  the  slight- 
est diversion  in  his  favor ;  so  that,  finding  the  enemy  closing  in 
upon  him  rapidly,  he  withdrew  from  Springfield,  and  was 
obliged  to  cut  his  way  through  towards  Boston  Mountain, 
where  McCulloch  was  reported  to  be.  After  hard  fighting  and 


134  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

» 

infinite  toil,  this  was  successfully  accomplished,  and  all  were 
agreeably  surprised  to  find  General  -Van  Dorn  there  —  the  newly- 
appointed  general-in  chief  of  the  Trans-Mississippi  Department. 
This  appointment  had  been  wisely  made  by  President  Davis, 
for  there  was  evidently  little  unanimity  of  feeling  existing 
among  commanders,  but  less  querulousness,  perhaps,  on  the 
part  of  Price,  than  of  many  others.  '  Old  Stirling  '  had  begun 
the  war  without  any  means  whatever,  yet  had  captured  ten 
thousand  stand  of  arms,  fifty  cannon,  hundreds  of  tents,  to- 
gether with  many  other  things  needful  to  an  active  army. 
No  other  generals  in  the  department  could  show  half  as  many 
proofs  of  their  prowess,  though  all  had  done  well. 

"  Our  sufferings  during  the  campaign  had  been  extreme,  but 
setting  the  inconveniences  aside,  had  tended  to  harden  us  and 
make  our  limbs  as  tough  as  steel.  Continually  marching 
through  non-inhabited  districts,  we  had  to  depend  upon  Provi- 
dence for  supplies.  Over  mountains,  through  'gaps,'  across 
rivers  and  creeks,  our  progress  was  toilsome  and  weary ;  but 
few  doctors  meddled  with  any  one,  and  not  more  than  a  hun. 
dred  names  could  be  found  upon  the  sick-list  at  any  time  during 
our  frequent  and  rapid  journey  ings.  Our  cavalry  led  a  hard 
life,  and  must  have  been  made  of  brass  to  support  the  trials  in- 
cident to  their  daily  duty.  Among  the  mountains  a  party  of 
these  '  irregular '  -horse  would  watch  all  the  roads,  conceal  their 
fires,  and  hang  around  the  enemy  with  a  pertinacious  determin- 
ation that  no  man  should  stir  without  their  knowledge,  and  at 
the  least  opportunity  making  a  flash  at  the  foe,  capturing  and 
destroying  as  they  went,  living  as  best  they  might,  and  doing 
whatever  they  pleased,  generally.  As  scouts,  these  men  were 
invaluable  —  they  were  here,  there,  and  everywhere  —  it  was 
impossible  to  follow  in  their  track.  Their  dress  was  of  skins  or 
any  thing  that  came  to  hand,  and  so  long  as  grass  was  found  for 
their  hardy,  wiry  Indian  horses,  the  riders  cared  little  for  food, 
dress,  leisure,  or  relief  from.  duty. 

"  The  enemy  vowed  vengeance  against  these  hardy  fellows, 
and  sought  to  train  their  own  horsemen  to  the  wildj  half-Indian 
kind  of  life  practised  by  ours.  But  just  imagine  obese  Dutch- 
men rivalling  the  swiftness,  daring,  and  endurance  of  our  wiry 
frontiersmen!  They  were  posted  on  mountains  and  in  the 


CONFEDERATE  HORSE.  135 

'passes,'  to  guard  fords,  bridges,  and  roads,  as  ours  did,  but 
their  loss  was  continual,  and  the  mysterious  disappearance  of 
stores,  horses,  wagons,  and  men  unaccountable ;  so  at  length 
they  were  withdrawn,  and  the  experiment  abandoned  as  an 
expensive  and  fruitless  one.  Entirely  masters  of  Ac  roads,  and 
every  route  by  land  or  water,  our  horse  seldom  troubled  Price 
for  supplies  of  any  kind,  save  ammunition,  but  frequently 
drove  into  camp  large  numbers  of  beeves,  hogs,  fodder,  corn, 
and  whatever  could  be  purloined  from  the  enemy.  Flank, 
front,  or  rear,  the  Federals  hardly  dared  to  move  except  in 
large  bodies  ;  guerrillas  lay  in  every  bush,  and  many  an  enemy 
was  found  lying  dead  at  his  post,  without  a  trace  of  those  who 
did  it.  These  Partisans  were  remorseless ;  they  expected  little 
mercy  if  captured,  and  spared  few  found,  in  arms  against  us. 
Some  of  our  men  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  were 
hung  on  the  spot ;  but  this  only  heightened  the  animosity  on 
either  side ;  and  when  Federal  soldiers  were  found  dangling 
from  trees  by  the  roadside,  the  enemy  thought  it  expedient  to 
recognize  our  Partisan  Eangers  as  '  legitimate  '  soldiers.  After 
this  our  scouts  usually  paroled  their  prisoners. 

"  But  of  what  avail  is  the  parole  with  men  who  seem  to  have 
no  honorable  instincts,  and  scoff  at  an  oath  when  voluntarily 
given?  Look. at  the  conduct  of  Mulligan's  men — upwards  of 
four  thousand  we  paroled  at  Lexington  !  Nine  tenths  of  them 
were  from  Illinois  and  Ohio,  and  had  not  been  home  more  than 
a  week,  when  it  was  argued,  '  No  faith  should  be  kept  with 
rebels ;'  and  these  men  were  instantly  enrolled  -into  new  regi- 
ments and  sent  forth  to  fight  again  in  some,  other  quarter ! 
This  is  incontrovertible  ;  and  the  same  perfidy  has  been  enacted 
in  regard  to  all  those  paroled  in  various  directions,  whether  the 
men  can  be  prevailed  upon  to  re-enlist  or  not.  These  are  stub- 
born, ugly  facts,  and  no  wonder,  I  say,  that  Partisans  for  a  time 
forgot  the  usages  of  war,  and  retaliated  with  signal  vengeance. 
But  to  my  story  once  again. 

"  Scouts  informed  us  that  the  enemy  were  strongly  posted  on 
rising  ground  at  a  place  called  Sugar  Creek,  about  sixty  miles 
distant,  having  a  force  of  some  twenty-five  thousand  men, 
under  Curtis  and  Sturgis.  It  was  also  reported  that  they  did 
not  intend  to  advance  until  the  arrival  of  heavy  reenforcements, 
which  were  rapidly  moving  up.  Although  not  twenty  thou- 


136  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

sand  strong,  Yan  Dorn  resolved  to  attack  them,  and  sending 
word  to  Albert  Pike  to  hurry  forward  •vrith  his  brigade  of 
Indians,  moved  out  of  camp  on  the  fourth  of  March,  with  Price 
and  McCulloch's  forces,  his  intention  being  to  surround  the 
enemy's  advance,  some  eight  thousand  strong,  under  Sigel,  at 
Bentonville. 

"That  excellent  officer,  however,  was  not  to  be  so  caught; 
he  was  far  superior  to'Van  Dorn  in  generalship,  and  success- 
fully slipped  through  his  fingers,  fighting  •  as  he  went  towards 
the  main  body  at  the  creek.  This  retreat  of  Sigel  was  admir- 
ably conducted,  and  though  he  could  not  successfully  withstand 
our  advance,  he  fought  manfully  and  scientifically,  losing  many 
men,  some  prisoners,  and  stores.  He  effected  a  junction* with 
Sturgis  and  Curtis,  however,  and  on  the  seventh  both  armies 
were  in  full  view  of  each  other.  Early  in  the  morning,  Van 
Dorn  had  made  every  disposition  for  attack,  and  the  advance 
began.  The  enemy  were  strongly  posted  on  high  ground,  as 
usual,  their  front  being  covered  with  a  heavy  body  of  skir- 
mishers and  artillery,  but  they  gave  way  as  we  advanced  in 
like  order  upon  them,  and  fell  back  upon  the  main  body. 
Price's  forces  constituted  our  left  and  centre,  while  McCulloch 
was  on  the  right. 

"  To  prevent  the  junction  of  reenforcements,  known  to  be  on 
the  way,  Van  Dorn's  attack  was  made  from  the  north  and  west, 
his  columns  almost  surrounding  the  foe.  The  fight  was  long 
and  obstinate.  Every  commander  handled  his  men  in  an  ad- 
mirable manner;  and  though  the  superior  metal  of  our  men 
forced  the  enemy  before  them,  they  constantly  re-formed  under 
a  superior  fire  of  artillery,  and  renewed  the  conflict  as  fiercely 
as  ever.  For  once  we  had  met  good  fighters.  Our  antagonists 
were  nearly  all  "Western  men,  and  their  fire  was  rapid  and 
accurate.  We  could  not  bring  all  our  artillery  into  play,  and 
this  proved  a  great  disadvantage ;  besides  which,  it  was  soon 
perceived  that  Van  Dorn's  idea  of  '  surrounding '  the  enemy 
was  a  bad  one ;  for  they  were  equal  to  us  in  number,  and  in 
much  better  position.  We  boldly  pushed  forward,  however,  up 
hill,  under  a  murderous  fire ;  and* when  we  gained  the  level, 
found  our  work  a  little  easier,  so  that  we  captured  some  hun- 
dreds of  prisoners,  several  cannon,  one  or  two  standards,  many 


GENERAL   McCULLOCH  KILLED.  137 

wagons,  and  some  stores,  and  every  thing  promised  a  complete 
rout  of  the  enemy.  They  repeatedly  fell  back,  but  re-formed 
and  continued  the  fight,  Price  on  the  left  and  centre,  hurling  his 
Missourians  upon  them  with  irresistible  fury,  so  that  their  line 
became  shaken,  and  required  but  a  little  additional  effort  to 
break  it  in  two. 

"  Perceiving  this,  Van  Dorn  ordered  McCulloch  to  repress 
his  ardor,  but  keep  up  the  enemy's  attention  on  our  right,  while 
he  threw  forward  the  whole  of  the  centre  and  left,  so  as  to  com- 
pletely sweep  the  field.  But  McCulloch  and  his  second  in 
command  were  both  killed,  and  there  were  none  to  direct  the 
progress  of  the  troops,  who  felt  they  were  now  pushing  on  to 
victory ;  the  various  colonels,  in  fact,  did  not  stop  to  inquire 
who  had  succeeded  to  the  command,  but  each  was  doing  his 
best  in  his  own  way.  The  enemy  were  before  them,  and  they 
neither  knew  nor  cared  for  any  thing  more  :  of  strategy,  they 
were  almost,  if  not  quite,  ignorant ;  the  men  were  in  disorder, 
but  still  fought  on,  regiment  mixed  with  regiment.  Thinking 
that  his  orders  would  be  obeyed,  and  not  knowing  that  McCul- 
loch and  Mclntosh  were  among  the  slain,  Van  Dorn  pushed 
forward  his  centre  and  left  as  best  he  could,  and  after  much 
hard  fighting,  drove  the  enemy  from  their  position,  inflicting 
much  loss.  It  was  now  far  past  noon. 

"  Curtis  and  Sturgis,  perceiving  the  confusion  on  our  right, 
rallied  their  commands,  and  presented  a  formidable  ff  ont,  the 
skilful  Sigel  covering  the  retreat  in  a  slow  and  masterly  man- 
ner, so  that,  though  we  had  thoroughly  beaten  them,  they  were 
retiring  in  excellent  order  to  other  positions  some  miles  to  the 
rear ;  and  success  was  not  so  decided  as  it  would  have  been 
had  the  various  commands  been  under  better  discipline.  Cheer- 
ing on  our  men,  Price  and  the  other  commanders  re-formed 
their  regiments  and  began  the  pursuit  in  earnest ;  but  it  was  a 
continual  running  fight  for  the  distance  of  two  miles ;  and  the 
men  were  so  intoxicated  with  success  that  discipline  seemed 
forgotten,  and  thousands  fought  without  orders,  '  pitching  in ' 
wherever  the  enemy  seemed  in  force,  or  inclined  to  continue 
the  engagement  At  last,  worn  out  with  fatigue,  we  all  halted, 
and  Van  Dorn,  taking  up  his  quarters  at  Elk  Horn  Tavern, 
commenced  burying  the  dead,  and  providing  for  the  wounded, 
who  covered  a  space  of  over  three  miles. 


138  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE   SOUTH. 

"  The  camps  of  the  enemy  had  fallen  into  our  hands,  with 
many  prisoners,  stores,  cannon,  etc. ;  and  the  men  were  so  ex- 
cited with  their  success  that  it  was  impossible  to  form  them  into 
line  for  exigencies.  Van  Dorn  indeed  surmised  that  reenforce- 
ments  had  reached  the  enemy  in  great  number,  and  felt  himself 
too  weak  to  accept  another  engagement  on  the  morrow,  should 
the  enemy  force  one  upon  him ;  he  therefore  ordered  the  sick  far 
to  the  rear,  and,  destroying  -so  much  of  the  booty  as  could  not 
be  transported,  began  to  prepare  for  a  retreat.  Officers  did  all 
in  their  power  to  gather  and  re-form  their  commands  during 
the  night ;  but  it  was  a  work  of  impossibility,  as,  completely 
broken  down  by  long  marches  over  hills  and  mountains,  to- 
gether with  many  hours  of  hard  fighting,  hundreds  lay  in  the 
bushes  completely  exhausted,  and  weak  as  children.  Coupled 
with  this,  our  supplies  were  exhausted,  our  artillery  had  but  a 
few  rounds  of  cartridge  remaining,  and  our  ammunition  wagons 
were  miles  in  the  rear.  Under  the  circumstances,  Van  Dorn 
wisely  decided  upon  falling  back,  and  refusing  another  engage- 
ment, should  the  enemy,  from  reenforcements,  have  the  hardi- 
hood to  move  forward  and  try  the  fortunes  of  war  a  second 
time. 

"  Early  in  the  morning,  scouts  informed  us  that  the  enemy, 
having  been  largely  reenforcefr,  were  advancing  upon  us,  but 
Van  Dorn  had  made  every  disposition  for  falling  back  to  a 
strong  position  some  seven  miles  to  the  fear,  at  which  point  our 
supplies  of  ammunition  had  halted.  Covering  this  movement 
with  a  well-displayed  disposition  of  force,  the  enemy  were  re- 
ceived with  great  valor,  and  their  advance  checked.  Shjfrp 
fighting  ensued,  but  they  made  feeble  efforts  to  move  forward, 
seeming  to  be  highly  delighted  that  we  were  falling  back,  and 
desirous  of  nothing  more  agreeable.  In  truth,  their  movements 
seemed  to  be  nothing  more  than  a  feint  in  force  to  cover  their 
own  retreat !  Most  of  our  forces  had  retired,  however,  and  the 
idea  did  not  seem  to  be  countenanced  by  our  commander,  who 
withdrew  quietly,  and  halted  six  miles  to  «the  rear,  bringing 
away  between  three  and  four  hundred  prisoners,  seven  cannon, 
stores,  wagons,  and  other  booty.  It  was  impossible  for  us  to 
have  withstood  the  enemy  a  second  time,  had  they  been  seri- 
ously inclined  for  battle,  for  all  our  ammunition  was  expended, 


THE  CONFEDERATES  RETREAT.  139 

and  the  artillery,  for  the  most  part,  had  fired  their  last  shell  to 
cover  our  retreat.  The  enemy  did  npt  follow,  however,  but, 
after  resting  on  the  old  battle-field  a  few  hours,  turned  their 
columns  eastward,  and  were  in  full  flight !"  [This  is  incorrect. 
My  friend  was  too  far  from  the  field  after  the  first  day's  en- 
gagement to  know  the  exact  truth.  The  Federals  occupied  the 
field  after  the  second  day's  fight,  and  remained  there  until 
Van  Dorn  had  retreated  many  miles  from  it  The  truth  of 
history  requires  this  correction.] 

".  What  their  loss  may  have  been  during  the  skirmishing  of 
the  sixth  and  the  battle  of  the  seventh  of  March,  cannot  be 
ascertained ;  but,  from  the  large  number  of  dead  and  wounded, 
I  think  that  three  thousand  would  not  cover  it,  irrespective  of 
prisoners  and  sick  that  fell  into  our  hands.  Our  loss  was 
heavy,  but  nothing  near  that  of  the  enemy.  Price*  thinks  that 
one  thousand  will  cover  all. 

"I  ex"pect  that  Halleck  the  Veracious  will  issue  a  grand 
account  of  this  Federal  victory  for  the  amusement  of  the  North. 

*  This  gallant  officer  received  a  severe  wound  in  the  right  arm  during  the  action, 
but  could  not  be  prevailed  upon  to  retire.  When  the  war  broke  out  between  the 
United  States  and  Mexico,  Sterling  Price  resigned  his  seat  in  Congress,  and  led  a 
regiment  into  New-Mexico,  capturing  Santa'  Fe,  and  routing  the  Mexicans  in 
several  engagements.  Although  not  a  military  man  by  education,  he  evinced  great 
talent  and  an  uncommon  idea  of  strategy,  having  frequently  out-manoeuvred  sev- 
eral generals  sent  against  him.  His  services  were»  of  such  note  that  no  history  of 
that  war  fails  to  bestow  upon  him  the  praise  his  many  brilliant  achievements  de- 
serve. He  was  Governor  of  Missouri  in  1853,  and  filled  the  chair  with  remarkable 
ability,  having  successfully  saved  the  State  from  the  Republican  sophistry  of  Sen- 
ator Benton,  when  that  demagogue  canvassed  it  in  favor  of  Fremont,  his  son-in- 
law.  In  person  General  Price  is  very  farmer-like.  No  one  would  suppose  his 
predilections  to  be  martial.  He  is  more  than  fifty  years  of  age,  about  five  feet 
ten  inches  in  height,  strongly  made,  thick-set,  and  inclined  to  obesity.  He  has  a 
large,  round  fa(*e,  of  a. ruddy  complexion,  short-cut  grey  hair,  small  and  restless 
grey  eyes.  In  his  movements  he  is  slow ;  in  manners  extremely  social  and  unpre- 
tending, a  plain,  out-spoken  man,  true  as  steel,  and  an  unflinching  patriot.  There 
were  great  objections  raised  against  his  commanding  a  large  force ;  for  the  few 
thousands  under  him  were  indifferently  drilled,  and  he  was  considered  too  lax  a 
disciplinarian  to  accomplish  much  against  the  well-educated  officers  sent  against 
him.  Whatever  may  have  been  achieved  was  due  more  to  the  indomitable  energy 
and  reckless  bravery  of  his  men,  than  to  any  great  display  of  consummate  general- 
ship. Greatly  beloved  as  he  is  by  the  masses,  I  think  Government  acted  wisely  in 
placing  others  over  him  ;  for  there  is  always  danger  to  be  feared  from  the  move- 
ments of  uneducated,.though  oftentimes  successful,  talent. 


140  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

"This  is  a  terribly  wild,  barren  country  for  a  campaign. 
The  boys  seem  to  enjoy  good  health,  however ;  but  it  would  be 
of  much  greater  advantage  to  the  cause  did  proper  disciplina- 
rians come  among  us,  for  although  brave  and  .hardy  enough  for 
any  enterprise,  we  lack  educated  officers ;  and  without  them, 
little  of  importance  can  be  effected  against  a  numerous,  well- 
appointed,  and  highly  disciplined  enemy.  The  late  battle 
proved  all  this;  and  although  we  whipped  the  Yankees  by 
sheer  audacity,  '  rough  and  ready '  fighting,  with  any  weapons 
that  may  be  at  hand,  can  not  maintain  a  contest  successfully 
with  an  army  ever  increasing  in  number,  and  supplied  with  the 
most  costly  arms  in  the  world,  and  with  every  comfort  and  im- 
provement provided  which  science  has  invented  or  money  can 
procure.  .  .  .  Yours,  POLK." 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Jackson's  Doings  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley — Character  of  this  General — Ashby's 
Cavalry  Force — Heavy  Marching — Bivouac  in  the  Snow — Ruse  of  Jackson  and 
Capture  of  the  Enemy's  Stores — Battle  of  Kearnstown,  March  twenty-third — 
Scenes  and  Incidents  during  the  fight — General  Garnett  accused  as  the  Cause  of 
our  Defeat. 

"DEAR  MAJOR:  "When  our  regiment  received  marching  or- 
ders at  Manassas  in  December,  and  were  ordered  up  the  Valley 
with  old  Jackson,  you  were  among  the  first  to  congratulate  me 
upon  'active  service,'  and  all  that  kind  of  thing,  but  believe 
me  I  would  willingly  have  gone  back  to  winter  quarters  again 
after  a  week's  trial,  for  Jackson  is  the  greatest  marcher  in  the 
world/"~~When  we  moved  up  here,  our  first  orders  were  for  a 
marcK  to  Charlestown ;  next  day  we  moved  back  ,to  Winches- 
ter, in  a  few  days  again  back  to  Charlestown,  and  thence  from 
one  place  to  another,  until  at  last  I  began  to  imagine  we  were 
commanded  by  some  peripatetic  philosophical  madman,  whose 
forte  was  pedestrianism.  With  little  or  no  baggage,  we  are  a 
roving,  hungry,  hardy  lot  of  fellows,  and  are  not  patronized  at 
all  by  parsons  or  doctors;  the  latter  have  a  perfect  sinecure 
amongst  us. 

"  'Stonewall'  may  be  a  very  fine  old  gentleman,  and  an 
honest,  good-tempered,  industrious  man,  but  I  should  admire 
him  much  more  in  a  state  of  rest  than  continually  seeing  him 
moving  in  the  front.  And. such  a  dry  old  stick,  too!  As  for  '• 
uniform,  he  has  none—- his  wardrobe  isn't  worth  a  dollar,  and 
his  horse  is  quite  injksepirig,  being  a  poor  lean  animal  of  little 
spirit  or  activity.  And  don't  he  keep  his  aides'  moving  about  I 
Thirty  miles'  ride  at  night  through  the  mud  is  nothing  of  a 
job ;  and  if  they  don't  come  up  to  time,  I'd  as  soon  face  the 
devil,  for  Jackson  takes  no  excuses  when  duty  is  on  hand,  fie 
is  about  thirty-five  years  old,  of  medium  height,  etrongly  built, 
solemn  and  thoughtful,  speaks  but  little,  aud  always  in  a  calm, 


142  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

/decided-tone ;  .a»<M£om  what  he  says  there  is  no  appeal,  for  he 
seems  to  know  every  hole  and  corner  of  this  Valley  as  if  he 
made  it,  or,  at  least,  as  if  it  had  been  designed  for  his  own  use. 
He  knows  all  the  distances,  all  the  roads,  even  to  cow-paths 
through  the  woods,  and  goat-tracks  along  the  hills.  He  sits  his 
horse  very  awkwardly,  although,  generally  speaking,  all  Vir- 
ginians are  fine  horsemen,*  and  has  a  fashion  of  holding  his 
head  very  high,  and  chin  up,  as  if  searching  for  something 
skywards;  yet  although  you  can  never  see  his  eyes  for  the  cap- 
peak  drawn  down  over  them,  nothing  escapes  his  observation. 
„  "His  movements  are  sudden  and  unaccountable;  his  staff 
:  don't  pretend  to  keep  up  with  him,  and,  consequently,  he  is 
frequently  seen  alone,  poking  about  in  all  sorts  of  holes  and 
corners,  at  all  times  of  night  and  day.  I  have  frequently  seen 
him  approach  in  the  dead  of  night  and  enter  into  conversation 
with  sentinels,  and  ride  off  through  the  darkness  without  say- 
ing, '  God  bless  you,'  or  any  thing  civil  to  the  officers.  The 
consequence  is,  that  the  officers  are  scared,  and  the  men  love 
him,.  He  was  a  student  at  West-Point,  but  never  remarkable 
for  any  brilliancy.  What  service  he  has  seen  was  in  Mexico, 
where  he  served  as  lieutenant  of  artillery.  At  one  of  the  bat- 
tles there  his  captain  was  about  to  withdraw  the  guns,  because 
of  the  loss  suffered  by  the  battery,  and  also  because  the  range 
was  too  great.  This  did  not  suit  our  hero ;  he  advanced  his 
piece  several  hundred  yards,  and  '  shortened  the  distance,'  dis- 
mounted his  opponent's  guns,  and  remained  master  of  the 

P°sitioh-  i,&nfc~ 

*  General  Jackson  was  never  known  to  put  his  horse  out  of  a  trot,  except  when 
desirous  of  escaping  the  cheering  of  his  men,  on  which  occasions  be  would  raise 
his  cap,  discovering  a  high,  bald  forehead,  and  force  his  old  "sorrel "  into  a  gallop. 
This  old  "sorrel"  war-horse  is  well  knowp  throughout  the  army;  with  head  down, 
it  seldom  attempts  more  than  a  trot,  but  stands  fire  well,  and  that  may  be  the  rea- 
son why  the  General  prefers  and  always  rides  him.  Many  gentlemen,  imagining 
that  the  hero  would  appear  to  better  advantage  on  a  blood  animal,  have  presented 
several  to  him,  but  they  are  seldom  used.  When  our  army  entered  Maryland,  in 
September,  1862,  in  order  to  get  in  the  Tear  of  General  Miles  at  Harper's  Ferry, 
and  secure  the  fourteen  thousand  men  under  his  command,  Jackson's  corps  was 
stationed  east  of  Frederick,  and  an  influential  citizen,  in  token  of  admiration,  gave 
the  Commander  a  very  valuable  horse,  that  he  might  appear  to  advantage.  Jackson 
mounted  in  the  public  street,  and  was  immediately  thrown  into  the  mud  !  The*old 
"  sorrel  "  was  again  brought  forth,  and  the  General  ambled  off,  very  good  humor, 
edly,  never  essaying  to  mount  "  fine  "  horses  again. 


JACKSON'S  MANOEUVEES.  143 

"After  the  Mexican  war  lie  left  the  army,  and  was  professor 
of  mathematics  and  tactics  in  the  University  of  Virginia,  but 
was  generally  looked  upon  by  the  students  as  an  old  fogy  of 
little  talent,  and  over-gifted  with  piety.  It  is  my  opinion,  Ma- 
jor, that  Jackson  will  assuredly  make  his  mark  in  this  war, 
for  'his  untiring  industry  and  eternal  watchfulness  must  tell  upon 
a  numerous  enemy  unacquainted  with  the  country,  and  incom- 
moded by  large  baggage-trains.  Jackson  evidently  intends  to 
supply  himself  at  Federal  expense,  and  as  he  is  a' true  fire  eater 
and  an  invincible  believer  in  our  '  manifest  destiny,'  poor  Banks 
will  find  him  a  disagreeable  opponent  to  confront  in  the  mount- 
ain passes  or' at  the  many  fords.  The  Virginians  have  an  idea 
that  he  is  veritably  '  the  coming  man,'  and  from  the  numbers 
joining  him,  it  looks  as  if  he  meant  mischief.  But  to  form  an 
accurate  idea  of  the  doings  of  this  man,  it  is  necessary  to  state 
in  proper  order  the  various  affairs  in  which  he  has  been  en- 
gaged since  last  I  saw  you. 

"Before  Jackson  was  sent  to  the  Valley  in  the  beginning 
of  December,  1861,  General  Ashby,  with  his  own  regiment 
and  other  cavalry  detachments,  making  a  total  of  some  twelve 
hundred  horse,  assisted  by  a  few  companies  of  foot,  (militia,) 
was  watching  the  river-front  from  Harper's  I£erry  to  Eomney, 
and  very  little  could  transpire  of  which  he  was  not  fully  in- 
formed. At  this  time  the  enemy  were  strongly  posted  at 
Romney  and  Bath  southwards,  and  Banks,  with  his  whole  army 
being  north  of  the  Potomac,  it  was  evident  that  some  great 
movement  was  in  contemplation, 'which  prudence  demanded 
should  be  watched  by  a  strong  force.  Accordingly  Jackson  was 
sent  to  "Winchester  with  his  old  brigade,  three  thousand  strong, 
and  one  battery  of  four  pieces.  He  had  not  been  in  chief  com- 
mand many  days  ere  his  restless  spirit  began  to  appear,  and  he 
seemed  bent  on  mischief — if  he  could  not  beat  the  enemy,  he 
was  determined  to  annoy  them. 

"  As  AVashington  was  blockaded  on  the  Lower  Potomac  by 
our  batteries  at  Cockpit  Point  and  other  places,  they  still  re- 
ceived large  supplies  by  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Canal,  which 
runs  parallel  with  the  Potomac  from  Washington,  and  branches 
off  on  the  Upper  Potomac  to  Wheeling.  If  the  '  dams'  could 
be  destroyed  up  the  river,  Jackson  conceived  that  it  would 
sorely  perplex  the  enemy  to  supply  their  large  army  around 


144  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

"Washington.  Accordingly  the  General  marched  his  force  to 
the  Potomac,  and  amid  the  cold  and  snows  of  this  region  had 
his  men  waist-deep  in  the  river,  endeavoring  to  tear  down  '  Dam 
No.  5.'  Although  much  labor  was  expended  night  and  day 
for  several  days,  we  did  not  accomplish  our  object,  but  lost 
somewhat  from  the  continual  fire  of  the  enemy.  We  desisted 
from  the  undertaking  for  a  week,  and  as  the  enemy  had  retired 
from  the  river-bank,  we  returned  again,  and  after  many  efforts 
effectually  destroyed  the  'dam,'  so  that  the  canal  was  unnaviga- 
ble,  and  remained  so  a  long  time.  The  amount,  of  fatigue  our 
men  endured  over  this  work,  laboring  as  they  constantly  did  in 
the  water  above  waist-deep,  and  in  the  intense  cold,  can  never 
be  sufficiently  appreciated.  I  feel  certain  that  hundreds  of 
them  will  be  ruined  for  life  by  rheumatism  and  the  like. 

"  When  this  was  accomplished,  Jackson  was  desirous,  of  sur- 
prising the  Federal  force  stationed  at  Bath,  and,  though  infe- 
rior to  them  in  number  and  equipment,  was  resolved  to  capture 
or  crush  them.  Without  much  time  for  preparation,  and  allow- 
ing none  to  know  whither  he  was  bound,  Jackson  gathered 
his  little  force  of  twenty-two  hundred  men,  and  amid  the  snow, 
sleet,  rain,  and  ice  of  the  first  days  of  January,  1862,  began 
his  march.  No  one  can  tell  the  horrors  of  this  march  We 
had  to  travel  over  fifty  miles  of  the  roughest  country  in  the 
world,  and  were  obliged  to  take  unfrequented  roads  to  keep  the 
movement  secret.  Over,  hills  our  few  wagons  toiled  along ; 
ice  was  on  the  ground,  and  neither  man  nor  beast  could  main- 
tain a  footing.  Sometimes,  indeed,  horsemen,  infantry,  wagons 
and  all,  would  slip  over  an  embankment.  Men  were  b9otless', 
hatless,  and  ragged ;  horses  could  scarcely  stir ;  no  tents  were 
carried,  and  all  had  to  sleep  out  upon  the  snow  as  best  they 
could ;  for  being  within  a  few  miles  of  the  enemy's  posts,  we 
were  not  allowed  to  kindle  fires. 

"  It  is  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  I  have  frequently  fallen 
asleep,  and,  on  awakening,  found  a  'foot  of  snow  all  over  me  ! 
We  soon  discovered  that  the  snow  kept  us  .warm,  and v when 
the  '  halt '  sounded,  it  became  customary  with  our  men  to  make 
a  sort  of  arbor  with  sticks,  which  was  covered  and  packed  close 
with  snow  on  three  sides ;  creeping  underneath  this  and  leaving 
their  heads  only  uncovered,  they  were  comfortable  for  the 
night !  This  was  a  decided  novelty ;  but,  believe  me,  Jackson 


CAPTTJKE   OF  BOOTY.  145 

was  cursed  by  every  one  for  this  mad  adventure,  and  looked 
upon  as  a  maniac  for  dragging  his  command  about  through  a 
bleak,  cold  region  without  supplies,  and  losing  men  and  horses 
every  mile — man  and  beast  tumbling  down  on  the  ice,  and  dis- 
locating limbs  at  every  rod.  Nor  did  we  accomplish  the  object 
for  which  we  started.  Ashby's  cavalry  arrived  at  the  appointed 
time,  and  took  up  a  position  on  the  outskirts  of  Bath  to  take 
the  enemy  in  the  rear,  but  it  was  impossible  for  infantry  and 
artillery  to  get  up  in  time ;  so  taking  advantage  of  our  slow 
travelling,  the  enemy  retreated  to  the  Potomac,  (not  more  than 
one  and  a  half  mile  distant,)  and  got  safe  across  before  we  ar- 
rived. The  cavalry,  it  is  true,  did  some  independent  fighting, 
and  skirmished  with  the  enemy  in  gallant  style ;  but  though 
killing,  wounding,  and  capturing  a  few,  not  a  thousand  such 
adventures  would  compensate  for  the  loss  sustained  by  this  hur- 
ried and  painful  march.  This  was  about  the  fourth  of  January. 

"  Having  rested  two  or  three  days  in  Bath,  and  lived  upon 
the  Federal  stores  found  there,  Jackson  made  daily  demonstra- 
tions" at  the  river,  picket  firing  and  displaying  his  force,  collect- 
ing boats,  chopping  down  timber,  and  the  like,  till  the  enemy 
imagined  that  his  command  was  the  advance  of  a  large  force 
about  to  cross  into  Maryland.  Shields  was  then  in  command 
of  the  Upper  Potomac,  but  had  the  largest  part  of  his  force  in 
Romney,  a  town  south  of  the  Potomac,  across  the  Alleghany,  in 
Western  Virginia.  He  felt  certain  that  we  were  bent  on  cross- 
ing, and,  though  forty  miles  above,  transferred  his  whole  Com- 
mand to  the  north  bank  to  dispute  our  supposed  passage.  As 
soon  as  Jackson  was  informed  of  this,  he  marched  up  the  south 
bank  to  Romney,  surprised  and  captured  many  of  the  enemy, 
and  destroyed  what  he  could  not  carry  away  of  Shields's  im- 
mense stores! 

"Did  you  ever  hear  of  such  a  manoeuvre  in  your  life?  It 
was  a  lucky  hit  for  us,  and  we  supplied  ourselves  with  wagon- 
loads  of  goods  of  every  description,  including  wines,  brandies, 
cigars,  and  a  thousand  other  things.  We  forgot  much  of  our 
annoyance  with  Jackson  in  this  trip,  and  all  began  to  think  '  he 
had  method  in  his  madness,'  and  was  '  a  pretty  good  sort  of  old 
gentleman  enough,  but  a  little  too  much  inclined  to  "  double 
quick "  movements.'  As  might  have  been  expected,  Shields 
was  particularly  annoyed  to  find  himself  imposed  upon  by  the 
10 


146  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

small  force  under  Jackson,  and,  keenly  feeling  the  loss  of  his 
stores  and  small  garrison  at  Romney,  was  moving  heaven  and 
earth  to  catch  '  Stonewall '  in  some  trap.  Jackson  was  too 
much  of  a  fox  for  him,  however,  and  when  it  became  apparent 
that  Banks  and  Shields  were  preparing  to  send  heavy  forces 
across  into  Virginia,  Stonewall  collected  his  brave  little  corps 
from  different  points  of  the  river,  and  had  every  thing  in  readi- 
ness for  retiring  down  the  Valley,  whenever  circumstances 
should  demand  it. 

"  You  may  be  sure  that,  under  such  an  active  marauder  as 
our  leader,  our  wagon  train  was  well  supplied  with  all  things 
needful,  thanks  to  the  superabundance  of  the  enemy  ;  and  that 
when  we  finally  bade  farewell  to  the  river  towns  on  our  return 
trip,  our  baggage  was  much  more  considerable  than  when  we 
had  arrived  there.  In  truth,  most  of  our  infantry  and  cavalry 
had  amply  supplied  themselves  with  all  things  needful ;  for 
among  Shields's  supplies  at  Romney,  we  captured  hundreds  of 
rifles,  pistols,  swords,  much  cavalry  and  wagon  harness,  many 
horses,  and,  together  with  what  we  picked  up  here  and  there  in 
our  many  inroads  within  the  enemy's  lines,  made  up  a  respect- 
able amount  of  booty.  ASHTON." 

"  McGackeysville,  March  26<A,  1862. 

"  P.  S. — Before  this  arrives,  you  will  have  learned  that  Jack- 
son has  had  a  fight  with  Banks  and  Shields,  at  a  place  called 
Kearnstown,  in  which  affair  I  received  a  shot  in  my  arm.  I 
am  doing  well,  thanks  to  a  strong  constitution  and  the  unceas- 
ing kindness  of  the  Virginian  ladies,  who  act  towards  us  like 
mothers  or  sisters.  "When  last  I  put  pen  to  paper,  I  did  not 
seriously  imagine  that  old  '  Stonewall '  intended  moving  in 
such  fearful  weather;  but  when  it  was  known  the  General's 
servant  had  packed  up,  I  knew  we  were  all  bound  for  a  tramp 
somewhere.  'Whenever  I  misses  massa  a  little  while  in  de 
day,  I  allers  knows  he's  prayin'  a  spell ;  whenever  he's  out  all 
night,  I  knows  we's  goin'  to  move  next  day ;  but  when  he  stays 
out  and  comes  back  to  have  a  long  spell  of  prayin',  I  knows 
dare's  goin'  to  be  a  fought  somewhar,  mighty  quick,  and  dis 
chile  packs  up  de  walibles  and  gets  out  ob  de  way  like  a  sensi- 
ble colored  pusson  1'  This  colored  thermometer  was  '  packin' 


BATTLE   OF   KEARNSTOWN.  147 

up  de  walibles ' — pots  and  pans  ;  so  there  was  nothing  to  be 
done  but  '  grin  and  bear  it.' 

"  Sure  enough  we  had  a  long  trip :  our  leader  marched  us 
nearly  blind ;  but  as  he  was  always  in  front  himself,  cheering 
on  the  men,  all  bore  it  patiently.  As  we  drew  near  a  place 
called  Kearnstown,  it  was  ascertained  that  Banks  and  his  second 
in  command,  Shields,  were  in  strong  force  in  and  around  Win- 
chester, and  great  circumspection  was  necessary  to  entice  a  part 
of  their  commands  after  us,  so  as  to  whip  them  in  detail. 
Shields  came  after  us,  all  primed  and  cocked  for  a  fight,  and 
we  '  tolled '  him  to  Kearnstown,  where  the  first  shots  were  ex- 
changed.  "We  had  not  many  troops,  (not  more  than  twenty-two 
hundred,)  while  our  opponents  must  have  had  ten  thousand. 
For  some  time  it  proved  to  be  an  artillery  fight,  in  which  our 
pieces  stood  up  nobly  to  their  work,  against  heavy  odds,  and 
suffered  considerable  loss.  Shields  was  unable  to  discover  our 
line  of  battle  or  our  real  force,  but  had  to  feel  his  way ;  and  as 
his  regiments  approached  the  woods  in  which  we  lay,  our  boys 
poured  in  rapid  volleys,  and  could  scarcely  be  restrained  from 
abandoning  their  covert  to  chaYge.  Observing  their  increase 
of  force  at  different  points,  we  frequently  changed  ground,  and 
'presented  a  different  line  of  fire,  so  that  they  seemed  puzzled 
to  make  out  our  intentions  or  movements. 

"  About  three  in  the  afternoon,  on  the  twenty-third  of  March, 
it  became  evident  that  Shields  was  advancing  upon  us  with  all 
his  force ;  and  we  obtained  information  from  a  prisoner  that 
Banks,  considering  the  Valley  cleared  of  Jackson,  had  gone  to 
Washington,  leaving  Shields  in  command.  Finding  that  the 
enemy  was  rapidly  approaching,  Jackson  disposed  his  little 
force  of  twenty-two  hundred  as  best  he  could,  on  the  right  and 
left  of  the  road,  Brigadier  Garnett  commanding  the  left,  Jack- 
son the  centre,  and  Ashby,  with  his  cavalry,  the  right.  Heavv 
skirmishing  was  maintained  on  both  sides  until  about  five  P.M., 
when  a  full  brigade  of  the  enemy  were  Observed  by  Ashby 
endeavoring  to  get  in  on  our  right  and  rear,  while  the  fire  con- 
tinually increased  in  volume  in  the  centre  and  left.  Well 
knowing  that  our  little  force  would  be  totally  surrounded  if 
this  flank  movement  should  be  permitted,  Ashby  determined  to 
put  a  bold  face  upon  matters,  and  attack  them.  Observing 


\ 


148  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

their  advance,  covered  by  a  cloud  of  skirmishers,  approaching 
through  open  grassy  fields,  he  gathered  around  him  several 
companies,  and  dashing  out  from  the  woods,  killed  or  captured 
nearly  every  one  of  the  sharp-shooters  ;  then  riding  up  to  the 
Federal  column,  his  men  discharged  their  pieces,  and  galloped 
back  to  the  woods  in  a  shower  of  shot  from  the  enemy,  which 
•  being  aimed  too  high,  did  but  kill  three  of  our  men,  and  wound 
half  a  dozen  more.  Determined  to  clear  their  front,  the  Fed- 
eral cavalry  now  rode  forward  at  a  swinging  gallop,  but  had  not 
proceeded*  far,  when  Ashby  again  advanced,  sabre  in  hand,  and 
his  men  were  soon  among  the  enemy,  cutting  and  shooting 
right  and  left,  and  driving  them,  in  great  confusion,  across  the 
open  ground.  So  obvious  was  their  rout  that  the  infantry  of 
the  enemy  opened  to  let  their  discomfited  horsemen  through  to 
the  rear. 

"  While  Ashby's  gallant  little  band  was  thus  checking  <,the 
enemy  on  the  right,  and  effectually  retarding  the  Federal  flank 
movement,  the  fight  was  raging  with  great  fury  on  the  left 
and  centre.  Grarnett  and  Jackson  found  themselves  over- 
*  powered  by  .numbers,  but  detprmined  to  keep  up  the  fight  at 
all  hazards  until  darkness  should  come  on,  through  which  they 
might  securely  retreat  down  the  Yalley.  Garnett  begged  for ' 
ammunition,  but  the  wagons  had  long  been  started  on  the 
march,  for  fear  of  capture,  and  he  had  to  rely  on  the  bayonet. 
This  was  called  into  requisition  several  times,  but  could  not 
resist  the  many  heavy  regiments  continually  sent  to  the  front. 
Observing  a  long  stone  fence  running  across  a  very  large  open 
field,  which  the  enemy  were  endeavoring  to  reach,  GTarnett 
determined  to  seize  it  as  a  natural  breastwork  and  hold  the 
enemy  in  check.  Shields  ordered  his  men  to  move  forward  at 
the  '  double  quick '  and  seize  the  position,  but  had  not  fairly 
started  on  the  run  before  the  Twenty-fourth  Virginia  (Irish)  ran 
rapidly  forward,  and  arrived  at  the  fence  first,  so  that  when  the 
enemy  approached  they  were  received  with  a  deadly  volley  at 
ten  paces,  which  killed  two  thirds  of  them :  the  rest  retreated 
to  their  former  position  in  the  woods,  from  whence  they  main- 
tained an  ineffectual  fire  until  dark. 

"Despite  the  heroism  of  our  men,  we  had  suffered  so  severe- 
ly, that  some  time  after  seven  P.M.,  Jackson  withdrew  from  the 


GENERAL  GARNETT.  149 

field,  with  a  loss  of  some  five  hundred  killed  and  wounded, 
nearly  three  hundred  prisoners,  and  two  pieces  of  artillery. 
Jackson  evidently  did  not  anticipate  meeting  with  such  a  heavy 
force  of  the  enemy ;  for  they  were  reported  as  retreating  from 
Winchester ;  but  this  proved  untrue,  for  they  were,  as  the  bat- 
tle proved,  posted  in  considerable  number,  and  during  the  fight 
had  the  better  position  of  the  two,  much  cavalry,  and  powerful 
artillery.  Garnett  has  been  censured,  and  some  say  by  Jack- 
son, and  was  threatened  with  a  court-martial  for  not  maintain- 
ing his  ground  on  the  left ;  but  any  commander  would  have 
acted  similarly  under  the  circumstances,  for  he  was  entirely  out 
of  ammunition,  and  completely  .overpowered  by  artillery;  so 
that  he  had  no  alternative  but  to  fall  back  or  be  annihilated. 
Ilis  artillery  had  been  captured  by  numerous  cavalry  ;  yet  he 
inflicted  more  loss  upon  the-  enemy  than  he  himself  suffered, 
and  withdrew  his  small  force  from  the  field,  as  coolly  as  if  on 
parade.* 

"  We  withdrew  rapidly  southward,  but  the  enemy  did  not 
pursue  until  next  morning,  by  which  time  we  had  got  far  on 
our  journey.  Having  rested  at  Strasburgh,  we  rapidly  pushed 
across  the  mountain  towards  Harrisonburgh ;  Ashby's  cavalry 
and  the  enemy's  being  continually  engaged  to  our  rear  in  fierce 
skirmishing,  in  which  the  latter  suffered  considerably.  After 
many  hardships  and  fast  travelling,  wq  reached  this  place  on 
the  twenty-sixth,  the  enemy's  advance  having  halted  at  Harri- 
sonburgh. Jackson  is  much  censured  for  this  fight,  and  although 
he  acted  according  to  orders,  is  cursed  by  every  one.  We  lost 
no  baggage,  nor  any  persons  of  prominence,  but  the  enemy  had 

*  Brigadier-General  Richard  Garnett,  who  commanded  the  left,  has  been  accused 
as  the  cause  of  our  defeat  on  this  occasion.  Jackson  commanded  him  to  hold  his 
position  at  any  sacrifice,  but  being  entirely  out  of  ammunition,  he  did  not  do  so. 
It  was  ascertained  during  the  engagement  that  Shields  had  already  prepared  to  evac- 
uate Winchester,  and  that  all  his  baggage  had  passed  through  that  same  morning — 
he  was  only  fighting,  in  truth,  to  secure  a  safe  retreat.  Garnett,  of  course,  was  un- 
aware of  this,  or  he  would  have  obeyed,  and  Winchester  been  ours ;  for  when  our 
forces  retired,  the  enemy  were  amazed,  and,  instead  of  retreating  themselves,  fol- 
lowed us  upc  very  closely  and  spiritedly.  General  Garnett  is  a  Virginian;  entered 
the  old  service  asJJecond  Lieutenant  of  infantry,  July  first,  184 ;  was  captain  Sixth 
Infantry,  May  ninth,  1855;  and  resigned,  to  enter  the  Confederate  service.  He  is 
reputed  a  very  able  officer,  and  has  seen  much  service  in  Western  Virginia,  under 
Lee,  and  subsequently  in  every  fight  in  the  Valley  under  Jackson. 


150  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

several  officers  killed.  Shields  himself  was  desperately  wound- 
ed in  the  arm  by  a  shell.  There  seems  to  be  the  fulfilment  of 
his  own  apostrophe  to  heaven,  in  this  man  Shields.  He  was  a 
very  successful  and  dashing  general  of  volunteers  in  Mexico, 
commanded  the  New- York  Volunteers  there,  and  at  one  time 
led  on  the  Palmetto  (South-Carolina)  Eegiment  in  a  storming 
party,  in  which  he  was  successful.  Several  years  subsequently,' 
at  a  banquet  in  Charleston,  (South-Carolina,)  he  had  greatly 
eulogized  the  South-Carolinians  for  their  gallantry  and  heroism, 
and  in  token  of  admiration  for  Southern  valor,  wished  that  his 
right  arm  -  might  be  palsied  or  shattered,  rather  than  draw  a 
sabre  against  the  sons  of  the  sunny  South. 

"  ASHTON." 


CHAPTER  XVEIL 

Fall  of  "Island  No.  10,"  April  fifth  — Battle  of  Shiloh,  April  sixth  — Capture  of 
Guns  —  General  Albert  Sidney  Johnston  killed — The  Battle  resumed  at  Day- 
break— The  Enemy  are  reenforced  by  Buell — The  Confederate  Army  retreats — 
Great  Loss — False  Reports  of  the  Federal  Generals. 

"  Corinth,  Miss.,  April  Wth,  1862. 

"  DEAR  TOM  :  In  exchange  for  your  last  entertaining  epistle, 
I  send  the  following  hurried  scrawl.  It  would  seem  that  the 
army  of  the  West  bids  fair  to  rival  that  of  Virginia.  As  you 
are  doubtless  aware,  we  have  fought  another  great  battle,  in 
fact,  two,  which  I  consider  are  without  parallel  on  this  conti- 
nent, and  approach,  more  closely  to  European  conflicts  than 
any  thing  which  either  you  or  I  have  participated  in  as  yet.  To 
give  a  plain  statement  of  things,  let  me  begin  at  the  beginning 
and  go  through  in  proper  order. 

"After  the  disastrous  affair  of  Fort  Donelson,  Johnston  re- 
formed his  army,  and  remained  some  short  time  at  Murfreesboro, 
but  subsequently  fell  back  to  Corinth  to  defend  the  Memphis 
atid  Charleston  Railroad.  Beauregard  came  on  from  Virginia 
and  inspected  Columbus.  It  was  deemed  inadvisable  to  defend 
that  place ;  the  works  were  blown  up,  and  all  the  cannon  and 
stores  transferred  to  Island  No.  10,  which  it  was  thought  might 
be  converted  into  a  little  Gibraltar,  and  successfully  beat  back 
the  enemy's  flotillas-  on  the  Mississippi.  The  command  was 
given  to  General  Mackall ;  Beauregard  was  installed  second  in 
command  at  Corinth.*  What  few  troops  we  had  were  being 

*  Beauregard  had  strongly  fortified  this  island,  and  it  successfully  withstood  a  (\A\ 
fifteen  days'  bombardment  from  a  heavy  fleet.  Being  called  to  superintend  opera- 
tions at  a  distant  point  on  the  mainland,  in  Mississippi,  the  command  was  given  to 
Major-General  Mackall,  on  the  third  of  April,  and,  two  days  later,  it  was  captured 
by  the  combined  land  and  naval  forces  of  the  North,  under  command  of  General 
Pope  and  Commodore  Foote.  A  large  canal,  twelve  miles  long,  wae  dug  across  a 
peninsula  formed  by  the  winding  of  the  river  round  the  mainland,  and  thus  the 
island  was  taken  in  the  rear.  The  loss  to  us  was  a  painful  one,  and  quite  unlooked 


152  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

daily  augmented  by  fresh  arrivals  from  Pensacola,  New-Orleans, 
and  Columbus,"  so  that  in  a  few  weeks  we  had  quite  a  respecta- 
ble army  of  about  forty  thousand  men. 

"  It  was  known  that  Buell's  force,  numbering  forty  thousand 
strong,  were  hurrying  on  from  Kentucky  to  join  Grant,  who, 
with  eighty  thousand  men,  was  about  to  cross  the  Tennessee, 
and  drive  us  by  degrees  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  or  elsewhere. 
He  had  already  crossed  the  river,  and  was  camped  at  a  place 
rejoicing  in  some  dozen  houses,  and  having  Shiloh  for  its  name. 
Johnston  gathered  every  man  he  could,  and  marched  out  to 
give  battle.  We  camped  within  five  miles  of  Shiloh  on  Satur- 
day night,  April  fifth,  and  could  plainly  see  the  long  line  of 
camp-fires.  Our  cavalry  had  been  closer  for  many  days  before 
our  arrival,  and  were  noticed  by  the  enemy,  but  no.t  molested. 
Early  next  morning,  (Sunday,)  and  long  before  dawn,  our  line 
of  battle  was  quietly  formed,  and  as  we  had  no  camp-fires  our 
presence  was  not  known!  Marching  in  three  grand  divisions, 
commanded  respectively  by  Hardee,^  Polk,  and  Bragg,  we 
approached  nearer  to  the  enemy's  camps,  deployed  columns, 
and  commenced  the  attack. 

"When  about  two  miles  distant  from  Shiloh,  the  enemy  had 

for — we  expected  an  engagement  there,  but  its  capture  was  neatly  accomplished 
without  it.  The  enemy  captured  Mackall  himself,  two  brigadiers,  six  colonels,  six 
thousand  stand  of  arms,  five  thousand  rank  and  file,  one  hundred  pieces  of  siege  ar- 
tillery, thirty  pieces  of  field  artillery,  fifty-six  thousand  solid  shot,  six  steam  trans- 
ports, two  gunboats,  one  floating  battery,  etc.,  etc.  Did  not  Beauregard  know  of 
the  canal  being  dug  before  he  left?  Many  think  so. 

*  Major-General  William  J.  Hardee  was  brevet  Lieutenant-Colonel  Second  Cav- 
alry, in  the  old  service,  and  for  a  long  time  commandant  of  cadets  and  instructor 
in  artillery,  cavalry,  and  infantry  tactics,  at  West-Point,  New- York.  His  famous 
work  on  Tactics  is  the  approved  text-book,  both  North  and  South,  and  has  proved 
of  incalculable  benefit  to  us ;  for  when  war  commenced,  it  was  our  only  resource 
for  instruction,  and  is  now  in  the  hands  of  every  one.  It  was  compiled  at  the  de- 
sire of,  and  approved  by,  President  Davis,  when  Minister  of  War  under  President 
Pierce,  being  made  up  of  adaptations  from  the  French  and  English  manuals.  Gen- 
eral Hardee  was  for  a  long  time  on  the  Southern  coast,  superintending  fortifications, 
but  was  appointed  to  organize  and  command  a  brigade  in  -South-Eastern  Missouri. 
After  the  battle  of  Lexington,  (September,  1861,)  he  was  withdrawn  from  that  State, 
and  sent  to  reenforce  the  command  of  Sidney  Johnston,  in  Tennessee.  At  Shiloh 
our  line  of  battle  marched  in  three  divisions,  Hardee  commanding  the  first ;  and  by 
his  rapid,  skilful  movements,  contributing  much  to  the  rout  of  Grant  and  his  large 
army  at  that  place.  He  has  proved  himself  an  excellent  leader  and  fierce  fighter, 
but  is  said  not  to  possess  much  genius  for  "planning"  a  campaign. 


BATTLE   OF  SHILOH.  153 

seen  us,  and  a  general  alarm  was  raised,  with  some  appearance 
of  confusion  on  one  part  of  their  line,  though  Grant  had  been 
informed  of  our  vicinity  the  night  before.  As  we  advanced, 
daylight  began  to  appear,  clouds  of  sharp-shooters  fanned  out 
in  our  front,  and  innumerable  little  puffs  of  smoke  dotted  the 
dark  green  landscape  over  which  our  lines  were  rapidly  mov- 
ing. Presently  long  curls  of  smoke  from  the  wooded  hillocks 
to  our  front  were  answered  by  screaming  shells  and  loud  re- 
ports, and  artillery  bugles  were  sounding  up  and  down  our 
line.  We  galloped  to  the  front,  and  opened  a  brisk  fire,  while 
to  the  extreme  right  and  left  we  could  faintly  hear  pattering 
volleys  of  musketry.  The  sun  now  rose  in  true  Southern 
brilliancy,  and  shortly  became  intensely  warm.  At  all  events, 
it  so  seemed  to  us  of  the  artillery,  for  we  pulled  off  coats  and 
jackets,  strapped  them  on  to  caissons,  and  rolling  up  our 
sleeves,  began  to  '  roll  into '  the  Yankees  with  great  gusto. 
Such  a  noise  you  never  heard,  and  I  am  deaf  even  now ;  but 
feeling  determined  to  pay  off  old  Grant  for  our  scrape  at  Don- 
elson,  our  onset  was  fierce  and  dashing,  and  the  continual 
command  was :  '  Forward,  boys,  forward !'  Sometimes  we  moved 
up  a  few  hundred  yards,  unlimbered,  and  worked  away  awhile, 
then  moved  forward  again,  until  at  last  we  found  ourselves 
blazing  away  among  the  tents  of  a  Yankee  division,  having  to 
withstand  <the  fire  of  not  less  than  twelve  pieces,  with  only  three 
out  of  our  four  guns,  the  other  having  been  upset  by  a  stray 
shell  and  rendered  unserviceable.  Our  ammunition,  too,  was 
nearly  exhausted,  and  as  supplies  were  far  to  the  rear,  and  our 
infantry  were  now  rushing  through  the  camp,  we  stopped  firing, 
and  retired  to  a  patch  of  woods  while  the  guns  cooled. 

"  About  this  time  our  brigadier  passed  by,  and  said  hastily  : 
'  Hold  on  a  while,  boys,  we  are  hard  at  it  in  front,  and  will  find 
some  better  guns  for  you  in  a  few  moments.'  In  half  an  hour 
the  musketry  fire  somewhat  subsided,  and  orders  came  to  un- 
hitch teams,  and  select  a  set  of  guns  from  some  twenty  that  had 
been  captured.  We  did  so,  and  claimed  for  our  use  four 
splendid  brass  fellows — two  six-pound  rifles,  and  two  -twelve- 
pound  howitzers.  Having  found  lots  of  ammunition,  we  were 
ordered  in  again,  and  went  forward  at  a  gallop,  the  newly-found 
horses  being  much  superior  to  our  old  mules,  and  powerful  in 


154  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

harness.  Thus  re-equipped  on  the  battle-field,  we  turned  the 
enemy's  guns  upon  them.  It  was  now  nearly  eleven  o'clock. 
Reports  from  different  parts  of  the  field  represented  Hardee 
and  Polk  as  having  driven  the  enemy  pell-mell  before  them, 
capturing  camp  after  camp,  and  immense  supplies  of  all  kinds. 
T^he  continual  change  of  scene — from  the  fields  to  the  woods, 
and  from  camp  to  camp — and  the  incessant  fighting,  so  confused 
the  sense  of  time,  that  I  could  not  believe  it  to  be  more  than 
seven  A.M.  The  heat,  however,  began  to  be  very  oppressive, 
and  as  we  gradually  became  short-handed,  officers  dismounted 
and  served  the  guns  with  right  good-will. 

"  We  were  no  longer  able  to  range  over  the  field  as  before ; 
our  progress  was  checked.  The  enemy  had  collected  in  great ' 
force  towards  our  front,  and  had  several  powerful  batteries  in 
full  play  against  our  further  advance.  Had  we  not  been  reen- 
forced  in  time,  our  little  battery  would  have  been  snuffed  out ; 
but  Bragg,  under  whose  care  the  artillery  had  been  placed,  sent 
ample  succour,  and  the  duel  between  us  became  hot  and  deter- 
mined. I  had  noticed  our  infantry  cautiously  moving  up 
through  the  woods  on  their  flank,  and  orders  came  to  cease 
firing.  The  enemy  saw  the  danger  and  moved  up  their  in- 
fantry. Suddenly,  up  sprang  several  of  our  regiments,  and, 
with  their  customary  yell,  ran  across  the  open  ground  and  up 
the  slope,  without  firing.  Though  dozens  of  them  wore  knocked 
over  by  artillery  every  moment,  they  pressed  forward,  their 
colonels  and  colors  in  front,  until,  as  they  drew  near  the  ene- 
my's infantry,  volley  upon  volley  of  musketry  met  them  with 
a  savage  greeting ;  yet  they  gallantly  carried  the  position. 

"  The  artillery  fight  lasted  full  half  an  hour,  reenforcements 
went  up  rapidly,  until  at  last  the  guns  were  silenced,  a  wild 
yell  rent  the  air,  and  immediately  the  order  came :  '  Artillery 
to  the  front'  We  moved  forward  with  all  possible  speed,  and 
passed  the  scene  of  the  fierce  engagement  I  have  described' 
and  found  not  less  than  twelve  guns  deserted,  as  many  more 
having  been  drawn  off  during  the  fight.  The  loss  in  infantry 
seemed  large.  The  enemy  had  received  an  awful  lesson,  but 
fought  to  the  last.  Our  opponents  at  this  point  were  Western 
men,  fellows  of  true  grit,  who  fought  like  heroes,  disputing 
every  inch  of  ground  with  great  determination  and  valor. 
We  came  to  a  place  where  Kentuckians  and  Mississippians  had 


A  LITTLE  GAME  ON  FOOT.  155 

encountered  some  Butch  regiments  from  Missouri  and  Ohio  — 
it  was  like  a  slaughter-house,  and  but  few  of  our  men  were  vis- 
ible among  the  killed. 

"  The  fight  was  not  over,  however,  bj  any  means,  as  inces- 
sant musketry  on  our  flanks  fully  proved.  It  seemed,  from 
the  line  of  fire,  that  our  wings  were  outflanking  the  enemy, 
or  that  they  had  been  fighting  too  fast  for  us  in  the  centre. 
After  a  little  breathing-time,  we  commenced  the  onward  move- 
ment a  third  time  —  deserted  camps  being  to  the  right,  left,  and 
on  every  side  of  us.  The  temptation  of  so  much  plunder  led 
scores  of  our  young  troops  to  halt,  on  some  excuse  or  other  ^ 
and  the  result  was,  that  hundreds  were,  lost  to  their  respective 
regiments,  and  hung  behind  for  purposes  of  spoil.  I  was  sorry 
to  see  this,  and  remonstrated  with  many ;  but  their  excuses 
were  so  natural  and  plausible  that  little  could  be  said ;  the  ma- 
jority had  not  been  from  home  more  than  a  month,  and  having 
beaten  the  enemy  in  their  immediate  front,  thought  the  game 
was  all  over  for  that  day.  Many  were  footsore ;  others  fam- 
ished ;  and  not  a  few  perfectly  exhausted.  But  now  the  enemy 
had  re-formed  their  line  again,  and  had  scarcely  got  into  posi- 
tion, before  their  artillery  opened  on  us  with  great  fury.  Their 
first  shot  killed  several  horses  and  smashed  up  an  empty  cais- 
son. We  changed  position  somewhat,  and  got  within  better 
range  of  our  friends,  whose  horses  and  caissons  were  behind  an 
old  farm-house.  "We  hammered  away  at  the  house  and  blew 
the  roof  off,  knocked  in  the  walls,  and  got  a  sight  of  the  cais- 
sons. We  did  not  much  care  about  the  guns,  for  they  were 
firing  very  rapidly  and  wildly. 

"  After  a  little  manoeuvring,  we  pointed  fairly  at  the  cais- 
sons, and  were  about  to  fire.  '  Hold  on !'  shouted  our  captain ; 
'point  at  the  guns  until  ordered — there  is  a  little  game  on 
'  foot.'  The  '  game '  aforesaid  was  concocted  by  our  captain 
and  the  colonel  of  our  supports.  The  infantry  were  to  creep 
up  on  all-fours,  while  we  maintained  a  furious  fire,  and  being 
concealed  by  the  smoke,  should  wait  until  all  our  shot  was  con- 
centrated on  the  caissons,  when  the  infantry  were  to  make  a 
sudden  rush,  and  secure  the  guns.  The  plan  succeeded  admir- 
ably :  we  suddenly  opened  fire  upon  the  caissons,  and  blew 
most  of  them  up ;  but  before  the  guns  could  be  removed,  the 


156  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

infantry  were  upon  them,  and  desperately  engaged  with  oppos- 
ing regiments.  The  guns  were  ours,  and  proved  to  be  of  beau- 
tiful bronze,  very  elegant  and  costly. 

"  The  line  of  the'  enemy  was  temporarily  broken,  but  fresh 
troops  came  pouring  in,  and  ultimately  forced  us  to  retire  ;  yet 
in  strengthening  one  part  of  their  line,  they  weakened  another, 
and,  by  a  vigorous  push,  our  infantry  and  artillery  made  a  wide 
gap  lower  down  to  our  left,  and  rushed  through  it  like  a  tor- 
rent. The  fighting  now  became  very  confused ;  different  sec- 
tions of  the  enemy's  line  wavered  and  broke,  and  were  crowded 
into  a  very  small  space  by  large  masses  in  their  rear,  which 
seemed  undecided  which  way  to  go,  or  what  to  do.  Of  course 
our  generals  did  not  give  them  much  time  to  consider,  but 
poured  in  upon  them,  and  drove  them  in  confused  masses 
towards  the  river.  The  fight  was  desperately  maintained  by 
the  Western  men,  who  fought  like  panthers ;  but  it  was  of  no 
avail ;  our  admirable  plan  of  battle  was  still  maintained  by  the 
'quickness  and  coolness  of  our  several  chiefs,  among  whom  I 
would  especially  mention  General  (Bishop)  Polk  and  old  Bragg. 
The  latter,  of  course,  was  ever  with  his  beloved  artillery,  and 
seemed  as  cool  as  a  cucumber,  among  thirty  pieces  blazing  away 
like  furies.  Polk,  however,  had  achieved  a  great  success  in 
capturing  that  arch-braggadocio  Prentiss  and  his  whole  brigade — 
the  same  bombastic  hero  who,  when  in  command  at  Cairo, '  was 
going  to  play  thunder '  with  us,  as  the  boys  termed  it.  But 
while  all  were  in  high  spirits  at  our  evident  success,  and  at  the 
prospect  of  soon  driving  the  enemy  into  the  Tennessee,  cour- 
iers looking  pale  and  sad  passed  by,  reporting  that  Johnston 
had. been  killed  while  personally  leading  an  attack  on  a  power- 
ful battery.*  This  news  wrought  us  all  up  to  madness,  and 

*  Major-General  Albert  Sidney  Johnston  was  a  Kentuckian,  and  about  sixty 
years  of  age ;  tall,  commanding,  and  grave.  He  was  a  graduate  of  West-Point  in 
1820,  and  appointed  lieutenant  of  Sixth  Infantry.  He  served  in  the  Black  Hawk 
(Indian)  war,  and  left  the  army.  He  migrated  to  Texas,  and  was  soon  appointed 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  State  forces ;  commanded  a  regiment  of  Texans  in  the 
Mexican  war,  and  was  appointed  major  and  paymaster  of  the  United  States  armyj 
soon  after  promoted  to  Colonel  of  Second  United  States  Cavalry ;  and,  in  1857,  was 
sent  as  Commander-in-Chief  of  United  States  forces  against  the  Mormons.  He  was 
in  California  when  the  South  seceded ;  and  although  Lincoln's  spies  dogged  his 
footsteps,  he  managed  to  escape,  and  by  passing  rapidly  through  the  South-western 

fr 


BUELL'S  AKRIVAL.  157 

without  waiting  for  a  word  of  command,  all  pushed  forward 
and  assailed  the  enemy  with  irresistible  fury,  driving  them  down 
to  the  edge  of  the  river  in  utter  confusion  and  disorder. 

"  It  was  now  about  four  o'clock,  and  Buell  was  reported  as 
rapidly  advancing  to  Grant's  relief,  but  was  yet  several  miles 
from  the  river's  edge.  From  some  cause  I  could  never  ascer- 
tain, a  halt  was  sounded,  and  when  the  remnants  of  the  enemy's 
divisions  had  stacked  arms  on  the  river's  edge,  preparatory  to 
their  surrender,  no  one  .stirred  to  finish  the  business  by  a  coup 
de  main.  It  was  evidently  '  drown  or  surrender '  with  them, 
and  they  had  prepared  for  the  latter,  until  seeing  our  inactivity, 
their  gunboats  opened  furiously,  and,  save  a  short  cannonade, 
all  subsided  into  quietness  along  our  lines. 

"Night  came  on,  and  great  confusion  reigned  among  us. 
Thousands  were  out  in  quest  of  plunder ;  hundreds  had  escort- 
ed prisoners  and  wounded ;  scores  w.ere  intoxicated  with  wines 
and  liquors  found ;  yet  still  the  gunboats  continued  their  bom- 
bardment ;  and  Buell's*  forces  arriving  in  haste,  crossed  the 
river  and  formed  line  of  battle  for  the  morrow.  It  could  not 
be  denied  that  we  had  gained  a  great  victory — thousands  of 
prisoners  were  in  our  hands,  including  many  officers  of  all 
ranks;  we  had  captured  eighty  pieces  of  cannon,  enormous 
quantities  of  ammunition,  and  stores  of  every  sort ;  many  hun- 
dreds of  tents,  camp  equipage,  hundreds  of  horses  and  wagons, 

Territories  in  disguise,  arrived  safely  at  Richmond,  and  was  appointed  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  West.  President  Davis,  in  answej  to  those  who  said  Johnston  was 
"  too  slow,"  remarked :  "  If  he  is  not  a  general,  there  is  not  owe  among  us  !"  Such 
praise,  from  such  a  man,  speaks  volumes  for  Johnston's  true  merit.  He  was  of 
Scotch  descent,  and  very  much  beloved  in  military  circles.  His  early  death  was  a 
great  blow  to  the  South.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  our  Southern  generals 
persist  in  rushing  to  the  front,  for  their  example  is  not  required  to  stimulate  the 
men :  rather,  our  soldiers  require  to  be  held  in  check. 

»  Major-General  Don  Carlos  Buell  is  from  the  State  of  Ohio,  and,  previous  to  this 
present  war,  was  Captain,  Assistant  Adjutant-General  at  Washington,  lie  served 
during  the  Mexican  campaign,  and  with  distinction,  having  been  twice  breveted 
for  gallantry.  He  was  always  looked  upon  as  a  quiet,  methodical,  and  "  safe " 
officer  ;  and  when  McClcllan  selected  leaders  from  the  "  regular  "  service  for  the 
volunteers  on  General  Scott's  retirement,  Captain  Buell  was  appointed  Brigadier- 
General  in  Kentucky,  and  soon  after  rose  to  the  rank  of  Major-Gencral.  His  de- 
portment is  gentle  and  soldierly ;  he  thoroughly  understands  his  business,  and 
despises  that  coarse  vulgarity  so  common  among  Federal  leaders  of  the  present 
day. 


158         .  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

much  clothing,  and  eatables  of  every  possible  description,  many 
standards,  and,  in  fact,  wagon-loads  of  every  thing  pertaining 
to  the  camps  and  commissariat  of  a  superabundantly  supplied 
enemy.  But  where  were  our  men  ?  With  the  exception  of  a 
few  thousands  of  well-disciplined  troops  under  Bragg  and 
others,  our  whole  army  was  scattered  abroad,  as  will  generally 
be  the  case  with  young  and  raw  troops,  if  not  kept  firmly  in 
hand.  Yet  our  outposts  brought  word  hourly  that  large  masses 
of  the  enemy  were  moving  across  our  whole  front,  and  it  could 
not  be  doubted  that  ere  the  sun  again  rose,  the  whole  of  Buell's 
and  Grant's  forces  combined  would  be  hurled  upon  us. 

"  Although  Beauregard  had  committed  a  great  mistake  in 
not  pushing  the  enemy  to  conclusions  the  day  before,  he  exert- 
ed himself  untiringly  for  the  morrow.  Stragglers  were  gather- 
ed, positions  taken,  and  the  greatest  exertions  made  to  secure 
the  invaluable  spoil  of  the  battle-field.  Every  spare  horse  and 
wagon  in  the  service  was  employed  in  the  work,  and  property 
worth  many  millions  was  conveyed  to  the  rear  during  night. 
The  artillery  were  sorely  taxed ;  their  horses  were  occasionally 
used  in  transporting  supplies  during  the  night,  and  could 
scarcely  get  an  hour's  rest.  Couriers  and  orderlies  were  dash- 
ing to  and  fro,  inquiring  for  this  or  that  General,  who  could  not 
be  found ;  despatch-bearers  were  looking  for  Beauregard  and 
other  chiefs ;  thousands  of  wounded  were  groaning  around,  us ; 
large  fires  were  consuming  every  thing  that  could  not  be 
'transported;  ancl  so  it  continued  till  midnight.  "Wearied  be- 
yond all  expression,  I  lay  4own  on  bundles  of  straw,  with  my 
feet  to  the  fire,  and  soon  was  fast  asleep. 

"  I  know  not  how  long  I  had  slept,  but  it  seemed  that  in 
my  dreams  I  heard  constant  picket-firing,  mingled  with  which 
were  hurried  voices  and  the  clanking  of  chains.  Arousing  my- 
self, I  found  that  our  battery  was  about  to  move  off,  and  that 
another  battle  was  inevitable.  It  was  not  yet  twilight,  but  our 
men  were  moving  to  and  fro,  and  all  seemed  inspired  with  new 
life  and  confidence.  Everywhere  large  fires  indicated  the 
destruction  of  Federal  property,  which  plainly  showed  that 
Beauregard  did  not  consider  himself  strong  enough  to  hold  the 
ground  any  longer. 

"  At  dawn  picket-firing  increased  rapidly ;  and  in  an  hour 


RETREAT  OP  BEAUREGARD.  159 

after  sunrise  we  fired  our  first  shot'.  The  shattered  regiments 
and  brigades  collected  by  Grant  gave  ground  before  our  men, 
and  every  one  thought  that  victory  would  crown  our  efforts  a 
second  time ;  but  after  we  had  wasted  our  newly  acquired 
'strength  on  the  dispirited  battalions  of  Grant,  Buell  poured  in 
his  fresh  troops,  and  the  fight  became  terrible  again.  In  some 
places  we  drove  them  by  unexampled  feats  of  valor,  but  sheer 
exhaustion  was  hourly  telling  upon  both  man  and  beast. 
Until  noon  we  retained  the  ground  heroically,  but  it  became 
evident  every  moment  that  numbers  and  strength  would  ulti- 
mately prevail,  so  that  although  we  had  gained  every  thing  up 
to  this  hour,  a  retreat  was  ordered. 

"Beauregard  had  prepared  all  the  roads  for  this  movement : 
there  was  no  hurry  or  confusion,  but  every  thing  was  conduct- 
ed as  if  in  review.  We  slowly  fell  back,  leaving  little  of  con- 
sequence behind,  General  Breckinridge  and  his  Kentuckians 
bringing  up  the  rear.  We  thus  in  an  orderly  manner  fell  back 
about  two  miles,  and  obtaining  a  favorable  position  for  our 
small  force,  re-formed  line  of  battle,  and  waited  several  hours. 
The  enemy  did  not  stir ;  they  seemed  content  to  hold  the  field 
and  not  pursue,  and  did  not  move  five  hundred  yards  from  their 
original  position  of  the  morning.  General  John  Pope,  of-  Ken- 
tucky, was  intrusted  with  the  duty  of  following  us  up,  but  act- 
ed very  cautiously  and  fearfully,  contenting  himself  with 
capturing  two  or  three  hundred  exhausted  and  footsore  Tennes- 
seeans,  who  lay  down  by  the  roadside.  From  personal  observ- 
ation and  conversation  with  those  wljo  should  know,  I  think 
that  our  total  loss  would  approximate  to  about  six  or  seven 
thousand  killed,  wounded,  and  missing :  the  enemy  confess  to 
twice  that  total  among  themselves.  We  lost  but  little  equipage 
and  no  guns ;  but,  as  I  have  said,  have  dozens  of  fine  pieces  as 
trophies,  and  an  awful  amount  of  baggage. 

"  Yours  always, 

, 

"  N.  B. — I  see  that  Pope  claims  to  have  captured  not  less  than 
ten  thousand  prisoners,  and  other  prizes  in  proportion  1  So  says 
his  despatch  to  Ilalleck.  Truly  these  Federal  Generals  are  a 
voracious  and  veracious  race  of  knaves.  Beauregard  says  he 
had  not  more  than  twenty  thousand  men  in  line  in  the  fight  on 


160 


BATTLE-FIELDS  OF   THE   SOUTH. 


Monday,  and  I  know  that  Johnston  could  not  muster  twice  that 
number  when  the  fight  opened  on  Sunday  !  Pope  adds  in  his 
despatch  to  the  good  folks  at  Washington :  '  As  yet  I  have  seen 
nothing  but  the  "  backs "  of  the  rebels  1'  If  he  lives  long 
enough,  I  pledge  my  existence  he  will  see  more  in  our  faces 
than  he'll  find  time  to  stay  and  admire.  Write  soon. 

"Yours,  again, 


CHAPTEE  XIX. 

« 

Movements  in  Virginia,  and  opening  of  the  Campaign,  April,  1862 — Troops  begin 
to  move  on  the  Upper  Potomac  in  March — McClellan  prepares  to  flank  Manassas 
by  marching  heavy  Masses  up  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  and  crossing  the  Mount- 
ains at  Snickersville — A  general  Retreat  is  ordered  by  Johnston — He  retires  to 
Culpeper  Court-House,  and  makes  his  Line  behind  the  Rappahannock — Ruse  of 
the  Enemy,  and  Design  upon  Yorktown — The  Approach  to  Richmond  in  that 
Direction  is  not  so  easy  as  conjectured  by  McClellan — Our  "  Lines  "  at  Yorktown — 
McClellan's  Progress  is  stopped  there — Balloon  Reconnoissance  of  the  Enemy — 
Artillery  Assaults  on  our  Works — Great  Distress  amongst  our  Troops — Outpost 
Adventures — Ambitious  Generals — Attack  on  Dam  No.  One — Frightful  Destruc- 
tion of  Life — Horrible  Neglect  of  the  Wounded  by  the  Federals — A  Texan  in 
search  of  a  Pair  of  Boots. 

OUR  batteries  along  the  Potomac  below  "Washington  had 
been  so  active  during  winter  as  to  completely  blockade  the 
capital,  causing  much  distress  and  privation  among  its  inhabit- 
ants, so  that  the  army  itself  could  not  be  regularly  supplied, 
and  hundreds  of  horses  were  dying  for  want  of  forage.  The 
only  railroad  that  communicated,  with  Washington  was  over- 
worked night  and  day :  the  Washington  and  Ohio  Canal  was 
broken  up,  and  an  immense  number  of  vessels  were  detained  in 
the  Lower  Potomac,  unable  or  afraid  to  run  the  gauntlet  of  our 
batteries  scattered  up  and  down  the  stream.  It  was  in  vain 
that  the  United  States  gunboats  would  sometimes  cannonade  at 
long  range,  and  attempt  to  silence  us:  when  their  convoys 
arrived  abreast  of  some  patch  of  wood,  an  unknown  battery 
would  suddenly  open,  and  sink  them  with  apparent  ease:  For 
many  weeks  no  vessels  could  pass ;  and  down  in  Hampton 
Roads  a  perfect  forest  of  masts  was  gathered,  waiting  opportu- 
nities to  ascend. 

Thus,  instead  of  besieging  the  rebels  in  Richmond,  as  had 
been  so  often  promised;  instead  of  "driving  us  to  the  wall," 
"  breaking  the  backbone  of  rebellion,"  or  "  the  terrific  Ana- 
conda hugging  us  to  death,"  etc.,  all  which  had  been  promisor! 
11 


162  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

a  thousand  times,  McClellan's  Grand  Army  was  in  uncomfort- 
able winter  quarters,  and  could  not  be  furnished  with  regular 
rations,  because  the  rebels  had  cut  off  supplies  from  the  river. 
It  was  plain,  however,  that  public  opinion  would  force  McClel- 
lan  into  action  long  before  the  proper  time ;  for  until  May  the 
roads  in  Virginia  are  irppassable.  Towards  the  beginning  of 
March  heavy  masses  of  troops  were  reported  moving  up  to- 
wards Harper's  Ferry,  and  almost  simultaneously  our  batteries 
on  the  Lower  Potomac  became  wonderfully  silent.  The  Fed- 
erals claimed  a  "  great  success  "  over  them  ;  but  the  truth  was 
all  guns  were  quietly  removed  and  the  batteries  abandoned 
long  before  the  gunboats  gave  their  final  shellings.  A  "  great 
move  "  was  evidently  preparing  by  both  parties,  but  few  could 
guess  its  object.  Banks  and  others  at  Harper's  Ferry  were  in 
great  force,  and  were  beginning  to  move  up  the  Shenandoah 
slowly  and  cautiously.  General  ("Stonewall")  Jackson  had 
been  detached  from  Manassas  before  Christmas,  with  about 
three  thousand  men,  which,  together  with  those  already  in  the 
valley,  might  make  a  total  of  ten  thousand,  but  certainly  not 
more.  He  was  ably  seconded  by  Generals  Ewell  and  Ashby, 
and  no  three  men  in  the  Confederacy  knew  the  cduntry  better. 
Although  their  force  was  small,  and  that  of  the  enemy  large, 
they  unexpectedly  appeared  and  disappeared  like  phantoms 
before  Banks  and  Shields,  acting  like  "Jack-o'-lanterns"  to 
draw  them  on  to  destruction. 

Our  position  on  the  Upper  Potomac  at  Leesburgh  was  also 
threatened  at  not  less  than  four  points,  namely,  westward,  from  * 
Lovettsville  and  Harper's  Ferry ;  northward,  from  Point  of 
Rocks ;  eastward,  from  Edwards's  Ferry ;  and  our  rear  from 
Drainsville.  It  was  thought  by  some  that  our  movement  would 
be  directly  westward  into  the  Shenandoah,  to  Jackson,  distant 
thirty  miles ;  but  a  heavy  force  of  the  enemy  was  between  that 
point  and  our  present  position,  and  were  tightening  the  lines 
around  us  every  day.  An '  advance  column  had  sought  the 
Blue  Ridge,  and  were  passing  south-westward,  evidently  in- 
tending to  flank  and  get  in  the  rear  of  Johnston  by  passing 
through  the  mountain  h  gap  "  at  Snickersville.  This,  of  courser 
Johnston  wisely  foresaw,  and  during  winter  had  been  quietly 
transporting  his  immense  stores  towards  the  Rappahannock, 


RETREAT  FROM  MANASSAS.  163 

.• 

removing  every  cannon  that  could  be  spared,  and  filling  the 
empty  embrasures  with  hollow  logs,  painted  black,  which'  even 
at  a  few  yards'  distance  much  resembled  thirty -two  and  sixty- 
four  pounders. 

To  diminish  the  number  of  his  troops  during  the  heaviest 
part  of  the  winter,  Johnston  had  granted  thirty  days'  furlough 
to  all  of  the  twelve  months'  volunteers  who  should  enlist  for 
the  war.  Although  the  entire  army  accepted  these  terms  and 
re-enlisted,  only  a  few  thousands  were,  permitted  to  depart  at  a 
time.  But  although  this  movement  was  known  to  McClellan, 
he  did  not  know  that  for  every  man  going  home  on  furlough, 
a  regiment  travelled  on  the  same  train  towards  Culpeper 
Court- House  and  our  lines  on  the  Rappahannock  River.  In 
fact,  McClellan  was  quietly  maturing  plans  for  the  surprise  and 
capture  of  Centreville  and  Manassas,  when  Johnston  suddenly 
gave  orders  for  a  general  retreat,  and  all  our  army  began  to 
move  rapidly  southward. 

This  retreat  was  certainly  one  of  the  finest  things  of  the  war, 
and  the  brilliancy  of  its  design  and  execution  presaged  a  glori- 
ous summe^  campaign.  Se  perfectly  were  all  things  arranged 
and  so  quietly  performed,  that  all  stores,  baggage,  sick,  materiel, 
and  guns  were  removed  far  to  the  rear  before  any  of  us  could 
realize  the  possibility  of  retreat ;  and  it  was  not  until  our  bri- 
gade, after  several  days'  march  over  hills  and  impassable  roads^ 
came  upon  the  main  army  defiling  southward  through  Fauquier 
County,  that  we  discovered  the  movement  to  be  a  general  and 
not  a  partial  one.  All  were  in  the  finest  spirits,  and  the  line  of 
march  was  so  perfect  and  orderly  that  not  a  hundred  stragglers 
were  seen  at  any  time,  and  the  continual  tramp  of  columns  was 
as  regular  as  if  on  parade.  This  great  retreat  was  undoubt- 
edly a  master  feat  of  the  originator ;  but  the.  exact  schedule  of 
movements,  routes,  time  of  junction,  transportation,  and  a  thou- 
sand other  important  points  were  calculated  and  fulfilled  with 
so  much  nicety  that  it  fills  me  with  impartial  admiration  for 
Lee  and  Johnston,  together  with  many  talented  subordinates. 
Each  army  corps,  in  breaking  up  quarters  for  the  march,  effect- 
ually destroyed  every  thing  that  could  not  find  transportation, 
so  that  when  the  enemy  advanced  they  found  naught  but  smok- 
ing ruins  and  shattered  breastworks. 

I 


164  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

With  regard  to  our  brigade,  Hill  had  so  arranged  it,  that  as 
we  marched  out  at  three  A.M.,  (March  fourth,)  immense  fires 
burst  out  in  the  valley  and  on  the  hills  from  Harper's  Ferry  to 
within  a  few  miles  of  Drainsville,  effectually  destroying  im- 
mense stacks  of  wheat,  straw,  hay,  clover,  etc.,  so  that  when 
our  force  arrived  on  a  neighboring  hill,  the  scene  was  like  a 
grand  illumination,  for  many  miles.  The  Yankees  in  Mary- 
land and  from  Sugar-Loaf  Observatory  could  not  understand  it 
at  all,  and  their  telegraph  lights  and  rockets  were  working  in 
all  directions.  It  is1  true  enough  that  much  property  was  thus 
destroyed  which  did  not  belong  to  us ;  but  we  had  previously 
offered  to  purchase  these  large  crops ;  the  owners  knew  we 
were  about  to  depart,  and -would  not  receive  Confederate  scrip. 
Besides,  they  were  well-known  Unionists,  and  although  not  one 
of  them  had  ever  been  molested  or  insulted,  to  my  positive 
knowledge,  we  were  obliged  to  destroy  all  such  stores,  or  they 
would  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  It  seemed  to 
be  the  desire  of  our  generals,  as  far  as  practicable,  to  render  the 
enemy's  advance  as  irksome  as  possible — to  make  the  once  fair 
fields  a  barren  waste.  It  did  not  require  much  to^  do  this,  for 
all  the  farmers  had  fled  southward  with  movables  and  valua- 
bles, and  had  left  their  fields  untouched  since  previous  harvest. 
They  "did  not  know  who  might  be  the  ruling  powers  when 
crops  grew,"  and  hence  did  not  SQW. 

When  our  whole  army  had  crossed  the  Eappahannock,  it  was 
drawn  up  tin  line,  and  waited  a  week  for  the  enemy,  hoping  to 
entice  them  into  an  engagement;  but  McClellan  refused  the 
challenge,  and  moved  down  the  stream  near  the  seaboard.  To 
contract  our  left,  all  fell  back  across  the  Eapidan,  and  increased 
the  strength  of  the  right  against  all  flanking  manoeuvres. 
Large  fleets  of  transports  were  gathered  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Eappahannock,  but  few  knew  their  object  or  destination.  Lee, 
however,  who  was  now  commander-in-chief,  closely  watched  the 
Federal  movements,  and  perceived  that  while  making  a  show  of 
force  along  the  Lower  Eappahannock,  they  would  certainly  not 
attack ;  their  object  being  to  transport  their  force  with  great  cele- 
rity to  the  Yorktown  Peninsula,  thinking  to  surprise  Magruder 
at  Yorktown,  and  quietly  seize  Eichmond  before  any  troops 
could  be  marched  to  oppose  them.  This  undoubtedly  was 


GENERAL  LEE. 

McClellan's  design ;  but  lie  proved  a  novice  compared  to 
for  twelve  months  before,  this  accomplished  soldier  had  read 
McClellan's  plans  so  effectually,  that  when  the'  enemy  marched 
up  the  Peninsula,  their  progress  was  suddenly  arrested  by  a 
long  line  of  powerful  fortifications  belting  the  country,  from 
York  Eiver  to  James  River,  and  completely  stopping  further 
invasion.  'Tis  true,  that  McClellan's  force  was  well  handled, 
and  for  the  most  part  lay  before  Yorktown  before  our  troops 
were  there  in  strength  to  oppose  them.  For  ten  days,  indeed, 
Magruder  displayed  his  ten  thousand  men  and  few  guns  to  such 
advantage  that  both  McClellan  and  Burnside  believed  that  Lee 
and  Johnston  were  there  before  them.  The  whole  army,  how- 
ever, arrived  within  a  few  days,  and  the  breastworks  frowned 
'with  real  cannon. 

But  while  both  armies  are  resting  along  their  extensive  lines, 
let  me  say  a  few  words  regarding  General  Lee  and  the  various 
fortifications  on  this  peninsula  from  Yorktown  to  Richmond. 

When  the  war  broke  out,  Robert  E.  Lee  was  a  lieutenant- 
colonel  of  cavalry  in  the  United  States  army,  but  was  generally 
considered  to  be  the  first  engineer  in  the  service.  He  had 
greatly  distinguished,  himself  in  Mexico,  and  shared  with  Beau- 
regard  the  highest  honors  of  that  campaign.  It  was  Scott's 
practice  never  fo  patronize  subordinate  talent,  although  all  his 
renown  was  achieved  by  it ;  so  that  while  he  continually  thrust 
himself  upon  popular  favor,  and  obtained  the  highest  rank  pos- 
sible in  the  service,  he  never  spoke  a  word  in  favor  of  those  to 
whom  he  was  undoubtedly  indebted  for  his  greatness.  For  all 
that  Scott  and  the  War  Office  cared,  Lee  might  have  lived  and 
died  a  lieutenant-colonel,  while  others  infinitely  inferior  to  him 
were  promoted  for  political  reasons. 

Virginia  having  seceded  from  the  Union,  Lee  tendered  his       \S 
services  to  his  native  State.     His  patrimony  was  situated  on 
Arlington  Heights,   overlooking  "Washington,  and  he  knew 
every  inch  of  the  ground  and  all  its  capabilities.     He  had  in- 
deed occupied  it  with  a  small  force,  but  was  ordered  to  fall 
back  to  Fairfax  Court-House  by  the  Minister  of  War.    He  was 
the  only  man  capable  of  filling  the  seat  of  Minister  of  War,  and,      *  / 
upon  going  to  Richmond,  was  installed  in  that  office,  and  ful- 
filled its  Herculean  duties  with  great  talent  and  despatch.     The 


166  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

line  of  the  Rapidan  and  Eappahannock  rivers  was  selected  by 
him  as  our  point  of  defence ;  while  Beauregard  preferred  Ma- 
nassas  and  Bull  Run — much  inferior  situations,  although  "acci- 
dental "  victory  crowned  our  efforts  and. immortalized  the  latter 
place.  The  defeat  of  Pegram  in  Western  Virginia  by  McClel- 
lan  and  Rosecrans,  at  Rich  Mountain,  occurred  before  Manas- 
sas,  as  I  have  mentioned  in  another  place. 

A  few  weeks  after  the  Yankee  rout  at  Manassas,  Lee  was 
sent  to  Western  Virginia,  with  only  a  few  Taw  recruits,  under 
Wise  and  Floyd,  to  contend  against  the  numerous  and  well- 
provided  thousands  who  flocked  to  the  Federal  standard  from 
Ohio  and  other  adjacent  States,  having  canal  and  railroad  com- 
munication beyond  all  their  necessities.  What  Lee  needed  in 
men  he  made  up  by  skilful  manoeuvres,  and  by  well  fortifying 
different  mountain  passes  and  important  hills.  It  was  said,  be 
cause  he  did  not  fight,  that  "  he  was  afraid,"  that  "  he  was  one 
of  the  old  school,"  etc.  The  truth  is,  he  did  not  dare  to  fight, 
except  on  very  advantageous  terms,  which  Rosecrans  was  too 
much  of  an  officer  to  grant.  There  was  no  excuse  for  the  latter 
not  offering  or  seeking  battle,  for  his  force  was  large  and  super- 
abundantly supplied.  Lee,  however,  completely  fojjed  him  on 
every  occasion ;  and  thus  the  time  passed,  until  the  fall  of  heavy 
snows  completely  blocked  up  the  roads,  and  rendered  all  that 
mountainous  region  an  inhospitable  waste. 

As  Charleston  ( South-Carolina)  was  threatened,  Lee  left  the 
care  of  his  troops  to  Floyd,  and  took  command  there,  putting 
the  coasts  and  harbors  in  complete  defence,  and  rendering  his 
work  almost  impregnable.  The  extensive  works,  however, 
which  he  had  planned  for  the  defence  of  Richmond  and  its 
vicinity,  occupied  much  of  his  time,  and  when  our  winter 
quarters  broke  up,  the  army  were,  for  the  most  part,  gratified 
by  the  announcement  that  he  had  been  selected  by  Govern- 
ment for  the  post  of  commander  in-chief.  Those  who  knew  the 
true  merits  of  this  modest,  retiring,  -but  skilful  officer,  foretold 
great  things  of  him ;  nor  were  the  most  sanguine  expectations 
disappointed,  as  subsequent  events  fully  demonstrated.  "  Sys- 
tem "  seemed  to  be  suddenly  infused  into  all  ranks,  and  volun- 
teers gradually  cooled  down  into  quiet,  business-like,  stoical  reg- 
ulars. There  was  less  "  fuss  "  and  more  regularity ;  so  that  with- 
in a  few  weeks  it  was  evident  some  mind  was  at  work  which 


GENERAL  MAGRUDEB.  167 

could  attend  alike  to  great  and  little  matters.  Not  that  our  army 
was  absolutely  without  order  previously,  but  there  now  seemed 
to  be  more  of  intellect  displayed  in  the  movements,  and  re- 
sults were  effected  with  less  noise  and  bluster  than  formerly,. 

Of  the  fortifications  at  Yorktown  and  elsewhere  on  the  penin- 
sula, it  is  desirable  to  say  a  few  words,  otherwise  it  will  be  im- 
possible to  understand  the  movements  that  occurred  there.  The 
occupation  of  Hampton  Eoads  by  large  fleets,  and  the  menacing 
appearance  of  Fortress  Monroe,  with  its  immense  number  of 
troops  and  munitions  of  war,  rendered  it  necessary  for  some 
force  to  watch  the  peninsula.  This  duty  was  assigned  to  Gene- 
ral Magruder,  who  often  ventured  to  the  vicinity  of  Newport 
News,  (the  most  southern  point  of  the  peninsula,)  and  greatly 
annoyed  General  Butler,  who  then  commanded  the  fortress. 
Butler  was  tempted  to  open  the  campaign  of  1861  before  Scott, 
by  marching  upon  Magruder  in  the  hope  of  overwhelming  him. 
Having  made  his  preparations,  he  found  the  Confederates  post- 
ed at  the  village  of  Little  Bethel,  and  was  soundly  thrashed  by 
a  much  inferior  force  in  less  than  sixty  minutes.  Magruder  re- 
mained master  of  the  peninsula,  and  scoured  the  country  be- 
tween Yorktown  and  Newport  News  until  the  close  of  the  year. 
His  pickets  were  numerous  and  vigilant,  and  captured  several 
hundred  negroes  who  had  run  away  from  their  masters  and 
sought  the  Yankee  lines.  , 

Following  the  example  of  Butler,  Magruder  set  the  "contra- 
bands" to  work  on  his  chain  of  fortifications,  extending  from 
Yorktown  (on  the  York  Eiver)  south-westwardly  along  the 
banks  of  the  shallow  "Warwick  to  Mulberry  Point,  on  the 
James  River  —  a  distance  of  about  nine  miles.  The  distance 
from  Yorktown  to  the  head-waters  of  the  Little  Warwick  was 
about  five  miles ;  the  land  was  low,  flat,  and  marshy,  unprofit- 
able alike  to  friend  or  foe  ;  but  on  the  point  where  the  chain  of 
redoubts  came  to  the  springs  of  the  Warwick,  the  western 
banks  of  that  stream  were  much  higher  than  the  eastern,  and 
the  land  was  partly  wooded,  partly  broken  rhto  fields.  The 
Warwick  itself  was  not  more  than  one  hundred  feet  wide  at 
any  point,  and  shallow ;  and  as  it  \^as  generally  dry  in  sum- 
mer, Magruder  had  made  a  series  of  dams,  which  held  the 
waters  and  converted  it  into  a  succession  of  small  lakes.  Not 


168  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

only  was  the  river  "  dammed,"  but  also  the  marshy,  swampy 
land  which  extended  from  Yorktown  to  its  head.  Thus,  our 
position  on  the  right  was  a  "  water-front,"  and  on  the  left  also, 
for  the  most '  part ;  here,  however,  as  the  water  was  derived 
from  the  snows  and  rains  of  winter,  the  depth  was  generally 
not  more  than  three  feet. 

The  character  of  these  various  works  was  admirable,  and  ex- 
actly suited  to  the  topography  of  the  immediate  district.  York- 
town,  itself,  our  left,  was  of  immense  strength,  as  was  also  Mul- 
berry Point,  the  extremity  of  our  right  wing ;  Lee's  Mills  was 
considered  the  centre  of  the  line.  As  the  enemy  would  be 
necessarily  obliged  to  cross  or  cut  the  various  dams  in  approach- 
ing to  attack,  these  points  were  protected  by  batteries  of  va- 
rious calibres,  enfilading  and  otherwise,  It  would  be  impossible 
to  attempt  detailed  descriptions  of  them,  for  whatever  of  skill 
we  possessed  in  science  and  engineering  was  there  displayed  in 
elaborated  earthworks  ;  and  sheer  madness  alone  could  induce 
the  Federals  to  attempt  the  line  by  assault.  McClellan  saw  at 
a  glance  the  work  before  him,  and  prepared  to  approach  by 
parallels,  and  shell  us  out  at  discretion,  while  the  majority  of 
his  troops  were  elsewhere  employed.  It  was  conjectured  that 
his  true  plan  would  be  to  arrest  our  attention  by  vigorous  bom- 
bardments and  a  display  of  force  in  fromt,  while  he  strongly  re- 
enforced  McDowell  at  Fredericksburgh,  in  order  to  move  on 
Richmond  from  the  north ;  fleets  of  gunboats  and  transports  at 
the  same  time  passing  the  extremities  of  our  wings  on  York 
and  James  rivers,  to  throw  strong  forces  on  our  flanks  and 
rear.  This  was  all  seen  by  every  intelligent  soldier  in  the 
army,  and  the  general  expression  was :  "  These  immense  works 
are  a  monument  of  Magruder's  skill  and  industry,  but  are  of 
no  avail,  for  the  enemy  can  ascend  the  rivers  on  either  hand, 
and  then  we  are  emphatically  cooped  up,  to  be  destroyed  at 
leisure." 

Lee  and  Johnston  saw*"that  our  position  was  untenable,  but 
determined  to  hold  it  until  Huger,  at  Norfolk,  should  have  dis- 
mantled his  many  fortifications,  destroyed  the  naval  establish- 
ments, and  evacuated  the^eaboard.  This  was  a  military  neces- 
sity. We  had  no  navy,  and  could  not  expect  to  contend  with 
a  first-class  naval  power  in  arms  against  us.  Norfolk  had  sup- 


MAGRUDER'S  EARTHWORKS.  '  169 

plied  us  with  many  cannon  and  stores  of  all  kinds ;  but  while 
our  ports  were  blockaded,  it  was  sheer  madness  to  incur  vast 
expense  in  keeping  open  naval  establishments  and  depots  when' 
all  our  small  craft  were  blocked  up  in  harbors.  This  should 
have  been  done  at  first.  Ours  was  a  defensive  war  even  upon 
land ;  it  could  not  be  otherwise  on  water.  It  is  true  that  our 
infant  navy  achieved  great  glory  in  its  encounter  with  the 
United  States  vessels,  and  the  names  of  the  Merrimac,  Manassas, 
Arkansas,  Sumter,  and  Nashville  can  never  be  forgotten  ;  and 
it  is  doubtful  whether  any  navy  in  the  world  did  so  much  with 
such  indifferent  resources. 

While  Huger  was  preparing  te  evacuate  Norfolk,  most  of 
our  troops  were  retracing  their  steps  up  the  peninsula  towards 
Richmond,  and  not  one  brigade  was  unnecessarily  detained  at 
Yofktown.  General  D.  H.  Hill  commanded  Yorktown  and  the 
left  wing ;  Magruder  the  right ;  Longstreet  the  centre ;  while 
Johnston  was  chief  over  .all.  Many  episodes  and  incidents 
worthy  of  remembrance  daily  occurred  between  the  advanced 
posts  of  both  armies,  which  served  to  keep  up  a  bitter  feeling 
between  us.  McClellan  made  daily  reconnoissances  with  his 
large  balloon,  which  remained  up  occasionally  many  hours :  his 
apparatus  and  balloon,  however,  were  always  tw"o  or  three  miles 
from  the  front.  Nevertheless,  our  rifled  guns  frequently  made 
rather  close  shots,  and  compelled  the  aeronauts  to  descend.  In 
some  instances  our  shots  cut  their  gearing. 

Determined  to  discover  with  certainty  how  many  guns  were 
in  position,  and  how  many  embrasures  masked,  they  occasion- 
ally moved  down  to  the  front  and  opened  a  fierce  cannonade 
with  field-pieces,  and  a  few  rifled  twenty-four-pounders.  Such 
tricks  were  unsuccessful :  the  most  of  our  guns  were  parked  in 
the  rear  and  covered,  so  that  at  a  distance  none  could  tell  what 
they  were.  A  few  moments  would  have  sufficed  to  bring  them 
down  to  the  batteries,  but  this  we  never  found  necessary.  About 
one  hundred  guns'were  always  ready  night  and  day,  frowning 
through  embrasures,  with  caissons  well  protected ;  and  in  some 
places  we  had  a  few  twenty-four,  thirty-two,  and  sixty-four- 
pounders  ready  for  the  assailants.  "We  never  found  occasion  to 
use  them. 

Whenever  the  enemy  approached  with  this  design,  and  opened 


170  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE  SOUTH. 

fire  upon  us,  the  regiments  would  spring  to  their  arms  behind 
the  breastworks  and  allow  the  artillery  to  amuse  themselves. 
While  we  were  sitting  down,  the  enemy's  shell  fell  thick  and 
fast  over  our  heads,  and  filled  the  woods  in  our  rear  with 
volumes  of  sulphurous  smoke.  Not  one  man  of  ours  was  lost 
during  these  frequent  visitations,  but  the  enemy  sometimes  suf- 
fered very  severely.  On  one  occasion,  not  less  than  a  dozen 
twelve-pound  howitzers  opened  on  our  six-gun  battery — our 
pieces  were  silent,  and  not  a  soul  stirred.  Two  corporals  begged 
permission  to  have  a  shot  each ;  directing  two  twelve-pound 
rifles  at  the  Yankees,  fully  a  mile  and  a  half  distant,  their  re- 
ports were  immediately  followed  by  the  explosion  of  several 
caissons,  killing  the  commandant  and  thirty  men,  twenty  horses 
and  upsetting  four  pieces !  Our  boys  c<juld  not  restrain  their 
pleasure,  and  jumping  on  the  breastworks  for  more  than  a  mile, 
waved  their  hats  and  howled  as  Mississippians  and  Louisianians 
only  can  howl — a  yell  with  a  true  Indian  ring  in  it !  The  re- 
maining pieces  of  the  Yankee  battery  continued  firing  with 
great  wildness,  rapidity,  and  fury ;  still  the  boys  remained  on 
the  breastworks,  laughing  and  yelling,  and  though  commanded 
to  come  down  when  shell  were  chipping  the  earth  near  their 
feet,  nothing  could  induce  them  to  budge  until  a  battery  lower 
down  opened  on  the  enemy,  and  smashed  them  up  with  one 
discharge ! 

Such  experiments  were  too  costly  to  be  repeated,  so  that  any 
one  portion  of  our  lines  was  seldom  visited  more  than  once. 
The  enemy  contented  themselves  with  erecting  mortar  batteries 
of  great  strength,  so  as  to  effectually  shell  us  out  if  possible, 
when  the  bombardment  regularly  opened.  McClellan's  posi- 
tion was  certainly* an  unenviable  one,  but  such  was  his  popu- 
larity with  the  men,  that  they  performed  immense  labors  with 
axe  and  spade  at  his  bidding,  and  seldom  grumbled.  With  a 
very  large  army  (one  hundred  and  seventy -five  thousand  men) 
encamped  in  low,  swampy  lands,  sickness  and  disease  was  very 
great.  As  no  roads,  except  a  few  ordinary  ones,  existed  from 
Yorktown  to  any  point  of  his  lines,  flanks,  or  rear,  it  was  neces- 
sary to  fell  the  forests  and  make  them.  Eegiments  were  thus 
engaged  for  weeks  cutting  avenues  of  communication,  while 
thousands  plied  the  axe  and  covered  the  dirt  with  layers  of 


SHORT  OF   RATIONS.  171 

logs,  the  interstices  of  which  were  then  filled  with  branches,  an£ 
all  covered  with  a  thick  coating  of  tenacious,  marly  soil.  In  dry 
weather,  and  for  the  use  of  light  teams,  these  "corduroyed  "  roads 
might  well  serve ;  but  as  this  was  the  month  of  April,  the  logs 
sank  lower  and  lower,  so  t]iat  heavy  wagons,  and  teams  drag- 
ging siege-pieces  and  mortars,  moved  but  slowly,  and  the  vari- 
ous routes  were  blocked  up  by  division  quartermasters  and  com- 
missaries endeavoring  to  transport  necessary  provision  to  the 
front.  Such  was  the  scarcity  at  one  time,  that  every  wagon  in 
the  service  was  insufficient  to  supply  the  daily  necessities  of 
his  army,  and  McClellan's  siege  operations  were  delayed.  Many 
deserters  came  over  to  us  and  begged  for  food. 

But,  alas!  if  such  was  the  state  of  McClellan's  forces,  what 
was  the  condition  of  our  own?  Flour  and  bad  bacon,  indeed, 
were  for  the  most  part  regularly  served  out  in  half  rations ;  but 
as  for  tea,  coffee,  sugar,  molasses,  rice,  baker's  bread,  or  crack- 
ers, fresh  meat,  salt,  or  clothing — these  were  things  unknown 
to  us  for  many  months  ;  the  only  thing  of  which  we  had  a  super- 
abundance was  cartridges!  Sugar,  rice,  and  molasses  should 
have  been  forthcoming;  but  then  we  knew  that  our  few  rail- 
roads in  the  South  were  overworked,  night  and  day,  in  trans- 
porting troops  and  materiel,  'and  such  was  the  press  of  Govern- 
ment business  that  no  civilian,  except  on  army  affairs,  could 
ever  obtain  a  "permit"  to  travel  twenty  miles  on  the  various 
railroads.  The  men  fully  understood  the  difficulties  of  our 
situation,  and  never  uttered  a  word  of  complaint.  They  fried 
the  abominable  bacon  for  its  fat,  which  they  mixed  with  their 
flour,  and  this,  with  water,  was  the  chief  food  of  all  for  many 
weeks. 

Such  was  our  poverty,  indeed,  that  many  negro  servants, 
hitherto  faithful  to  the  fortunes  of  their  masters,  deserted 
during  the  darkness  of  night,  and  reported  us  as  ragged,  starv- 
ing, footsore,  and  spiritless.  Except  in  the  latter  respect,  their 
reports  were  but  too  true.  In  lieu  of  coffee  or  tea,  we  gath- 
ered holly-leaves  or  sassafras-roots,  to  boil  down  into  tea,  and 
felt  thankful  for  this  barbarous  decoction,  although  much  de- 
bility and  sickness  resulted  from  using  it.  All  this  was  so  well 
known  to  the  enemy,  that  their  pickets  would  taunt  ours  in 
coarse  language  that  stirred  up  our  men  occasionally  t«^  deeds 
of  rashness,  such  as  a  surprise  of  the  enemy's  outposts  about 


172  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

dinner-tinw  f  The  well-fed-  rice-  cracker-  fresh  meat-  sago-  ham* 
bean-  port-  molasses-  sugar-eating,  and  tea-  coffee-  and  whisky- 
drinking  Yankees,  in  fine  warm  clothes,  would  often  shout  to 

us:  "How  do  git  along,  you  sassafras-drinking  sons  of ?" 

"  Oh  !  you  mouldy,  ragged rebels !  what's  the  price  of  soap 

in  Dixie  ?"  Taunts  might  serve  their  purpose  very  well  when 
out  of  danger  behind  trees,  but  as  soon  as  any  of  us  "fell  in," 
and  marched  out  to  give  appropriate  answers,  these  gentlemen 
in  blue  would  invariably  "skedaddle!" 

I  have  known  instances,  indeed,  of  soldiers  from  the  Gulf 
States  having,  unknown  to  the  officers,  sallied  out  beyond  oifr 
extreme  outposts  during  the  night,  penetrated  the  enemy's 
lines,  and  brought  back  provisions  in  abundance,  often  having 
slung  over  their  arms  from  two  to  four  rifles,  the  property  of 
Federal  sentinels  who  opposed  them.  I  repeat,  I  have  known 
several  instances  of  this  kind  where  parties  of  six  would  go 
out  on  such  expeditions,  and,  from  experience  in  Indian  war- 
fare, would  scatter  in  the  timber,  prowl  about  the  enemy's  en- 
campments, and  return  unscratched,  with  a  heavy  load  of  eat- 
ables— the  chief  weight  being  of  coffee  and  sugar.  One  or  two 
particular  instances  I  consider  worthy  of  especial  mention. 

One  day  while  on  duty  near  Dam  No.  1,  we  observed  within 
the  enemy's  lines  a  flock  of  sheep  grazing,  the  distance  from 
us  being  about  two  miles.  We  had  been  joking  on  the  subject 
and  remarking  what  fine  soup  they  would  make  for  our  hungry 
men,  when  I  observed  a  tall  ragged  Texan  intently  eyeing  them. 
Lifting  his  two-feet-and-a-half  diameter  straw  hat  from  his  head, 
he  began  to  scratch  as  if  in  profound  meditation.  It  was  to- 
wards evening,  and  he  was  returning  from  twenty-four  hours' 
picketing  in  the  front.  "  What's  the  matter?"  I  inquired. 
"Nothin',"  he  replied;  "but  I  was  just  a-thinking  I  should 
like  to  have  some  mutton  for  supper ! — our  folks  get  nothin'  but 
cartridges  to  eat."  Tired  as  he  was,  he  answered  company  roll- 
call,  and  shortly  afterwards  passed  me,  stealing  cautiously  to- 
wards the  enemy,  hiding  behind  fallen  timber,  and  having 
crossed  the  dam,  disappeared."* 

After  a  while  I  heard  several  shots  fired  in  the  direction  of 
the  sheep,  but,  of  course,  took  little  notice  of  it,  for  firing  was 
continual  from  morning  till  night.  As  "  tattoo  '''was  sounding 


FETCHING  IX  PROVISIONS.  173 

I  was  about  to  repair  to  my  own  post,  when  some  unaccountable 
object  seemed  to  be  crossing  the  dam.  One  of  the  guards  chal- 
lenged— "  Hold  on,  boys,"  was  the  reply ;  "  wait  a  minute — I've 
got  him  all  right ;"  and  before  I  could  recover  from  astonish- 
ment, my  friend  of  the  large  straw  hat  appeared  clambering  up 
the  face  of  the  breastwork,  heavily  laden  with  something,  and, 
on  close  inspection,  I  found  he  carried  a  large  sheep  and  a  fat 
lamb  on  his  back,  the  legs  tied  round  his  neck,  a  bundle  swung 
around  his  middle,  four  rifles  hung  from  his  shoulders,  and  his 
own  trusty  Enfield  grasped  firmly  in  the  right  hand,  cocked 
and  loaded.  "But  where  did  you  get  the  rifles?"  I  inquired. 
"Oh!  well,  the  darned  fools , wouldn't  let  me  get  the  mutton 
peaceable,  so  I  had  to  shoot  four  of  'em  I"  This  instance  is  but 
one  of  a  class,  for  which  I  can  vouch  from  personal  knowledge- 

The  enemy  had  been  taught  that  we  were  a  pusillanimous 
race,  effeminate,  lazy,  unacclimated,  and  physically  inferior  to 
themselves."  Our  mode  of  life  at  home  —  the  abundance  of 
money,  dependence  upon  slave  labor,  and  inaptitude  for  every 
thing  save  cotton,  rice,  and  sugar-raising — might  give  counte- 
nance to  such  ideas;  and  it  is  equally  true  that  habitual  sloth- 
fulness  had  thrown  every  species  of  manufacture  into  their 
hands.  But  history  should  have  taught  them  that  the  South 
was  ever  foremost  in  fight,  and  that  while  Northern  troops  had 
never  fought  South  during  the  Eevolution  of  1776,  Southern 
armies  had  traversed  all  the  North,  and  had  left  their  bones  on 
every  battle-field.  The  same  is  equally  true  of  the  war  of  1812, 
and  of  the  expedition  into  Mexico,  for  the  impartial  student 
will  be  surprised  at  the  numbers  lost  by  us  compared  with  the 
North  in  those  transactions,  and  at  the  numbjer  of  times  the 
Cotton  States  have  shown  in  the  front,  in  every  movement 
of  danger.  All  this,  however,  was  not  considered.  "When 
McClellan  took  command  of  the  enemy  in  August,  1861,  his 
wordg  were :  "  There  shall  be  no  more  defeats,  no  more  retreats; 
our  progress  will  henceforth  be  unchecked  and  glorious."  The 
press  also  had  been  continually  chanting  anthems  over  their 
own  superiority  and  our  wretchedness ;  every  picket  fight  had 
been  magnified  into  "  a  great  success,"  "  complete  victory,"  etc., 
all  printed  in  alarmingly  large  capitals,  until  at  last  every 
drummer  in  McClellan's  army  considered  himself  a  herb. 

Surprised  to  find  us  more  than  a  match  for  them  in  the  every. 


174  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE   SOUTH. 

day  encounters  at  the  lines,  and  annoyed  to  find  that  their 
newsuapers  sometimes  told  awkward  truths  by  "  accident, ?r 
different  ambitious  generals  sought  to  distinguish  themselves  at 
their  respective  posts,  and  to  do  something  of  which  to  boast 
On  one  occasion  it  was  designed  to  march  a  heavy  force  into 
the  woods  near  Lee's  Mills,  and  surprise  four  of  our  companies 
picketed  there.  Our  outposts  quietly  gave  the  signal  of  ap- 
proach, and  as  a  full  brigade  turned  into  a  lane  in  line  with  our 
battery,  some  half  dozen  second  shell  were  fired  very  rapidly, 
and  split  up  the  column,  cutting  the  commander  and  horse  com- 
pletely in  two — the  fire  of  our  four  companies  in  extended  order 
did  the  rest,  and  the  New-Englanders  broke  and  fled  in  great 
confusion,  leaving  many  dead  and  wounded  behind.  They  had 
to  retread  within  view  of  our  lower  batteries,  which,  as  they 
passed  their  front,  shelled  the  woods  and  broke  them  a  second 
time. 

On  another  occasion,  some  of  our  pickets  advanced  farther 
than  necessary,  and  captured  several  field-officers.  Expecting 
retaliation,  strict  watch  was  maintained,  and  on  the  Sabbath  a 
full  regiment  appeared  to  take  vengeance  on  our  pickets,  but 
none  were  seen.  The  Yankees  had  not  proceeded  far,  when  up 
rose  four  companies,  and  having  delivered  a  slaughtering  cross- 
fire, charged  with  a  terrible  yell.  The  enemy  broke,  and  we 
were  never  troubled  with  them  afterwards  at  that  point. 

Our  outposts,  however,  could  not  keep  quiet,  and  every 
chance  that  was  presented  was  improved  to  slaughter  the  ene- 
my, for  they  held  them  in  profound  contempt.  The  enemy 
devised  a  new  plan  for  picketing.  They  owned  a  great  many 
dogs,  and  when  ©n  outpost  duty,  Mr.  Yankee  would  quietly 
light  his  pipe  and  play  cards,  while  the  dogs  rambled  through 
the  woods,  and  gave  the  alarm  of  any  approach !  The  faithful- 
ness of  their  dogs  saved  them  on  many  occasions  from  loss,  for 
the  animals  would  howl  and  retire  from  any  one  unless  dressed 
in  blue.  As  woodsmen,  the  enemy  were  complete  novices 
compared  to  us ;  but  this,  was  as  might  be  expected.  There 
were  Maryland  regiments,  however,  in  their  service  who  were 
equal  to  us,  but  these  were  not  trusted — McClellan  thought, 
and  wisely,  that  with  the  first  opportunity  they  would  "ske- 
daddle "  to  the  rebels  1 


ATTACK   ON  THE  DAM.  175 

Our  various  batteries  commanding  the  dams  seemed  to  give 
the  enemy  much  uneasiness  and  annoyance.  They  erected 
heavy  counter-batteries,  but  still  could  not  show  in  force  at  any 
point  without  suffering  loss,  and  so  determined  to  try  the  ex- 
periment of  taking  one  of  these  defences.  Towards  Yorktown, 
the  various  dams  were  successively  numbered  1,  2,  3,  etc.,  until 
their  approach  to  Lee's  Mills,  where  the  river  became  sufficient- 
ly deep  to  obviate  the  erection  of  more.  "  Dam  No.  1"  was 
consequently  situated  on  land  that  held  but  little  water,  the 
causeway  being  about  twelve  feet  broad.  The  battery  which 
protected  it  was  triangular  in  form,  containing  three  guns,  with 
a  long  embankment  or  rifle-pit  connected  with  it  on  either  side, 
but  situated  in  very  low  land.  The  position  of  "the  enemy  was 
much  higher,  with  rising  hillocks  up  and  down  the  face  of  the 
swamp,  which  were,  of  course,  converted  into  earthworks,  and 
mounted  not  less  than  twenty-two  guns,  commanded  by  their 
accomplished  artillerist  Ayers,  (I  follow  Yankee  authorities.)  It 
was  impossible  for  us  to  use  our  guns  with  much  effect,  since 
they  were  always  assailed  by  enfilade. 

To  obviate  this,  we  were  constructing  a  powerful  battery  in 
the  rear  of  the  first,  the  work  being  chiefly  performed  by  the 
troops  on  picket  there.  While  this  work  was  in  progress,  a 
North-Carolina  regiment  was  stretched  along  the  right  rifle-pit, 
and  four  companies  of  a  Louisiana  regiment  occupied  the  left. 
Yankee  sharpshooters,  posted  in  trees,  had  discovered  that  the 
three-gun  battery  was  oftentimes  comparatively  deserted  about 
noon-time,  and  as  the  causeway,  or  dam,  was-  broad,  it  would 
not  be  very  difficult  to  cross  the  comparatively  dry  swamp, 
under  cover  of  their  guns,  seize  the  place,  break  our  chain  of 
defences,  and  throw  over  large  bodies  of  troops.  Accordingly 
they  gathered  a  large  force  silently  in  the  woods,  and  at  the 
hour  of  noon  made  a  rush  across  the  causeway,  our  pickets 
fighting  desperately  as  they  retreated,  instead  of  falling  back 
upon  the  rifle-pits  without  delay,  after  once  firing  their  pieces, 
conformably  to  order.  As  a  consequence,  the  enemy  were 
half-way  across  the  dam  and  swamp  before  any  alarm  waa 
given. 

"When  the  assault  was  known,  the  North-Carolinians  in  the 
right  rifle-pit  seized  their  arms,  and  having  fired  one  volley 


176  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP   THE  SOUTH. 

with  destructive  effect,  unaccountably  retired.  The  Yankees, 
once  in  possession  of  the  battery  and  right  rifle-pit,  were  much 
in  the  situation  of  the  man  who  gained  an  elephant  in  a  raffle, 
not  knowing  what  to  do  with  it !  Swarming  over  the  works, 
they  fought  and  overcame  the  few  guards  who  resisted  them, 
and  received  heavy  reenforcements  as  fast  as  possible.  The 
four  companies  of  Louisianians  who  had  gallantly  held  their  pit, 
were  joined  by  the  remainder  of  the  regiment,  and  rushing  into 
the  battery  commenced  the  work  of  slaughter  silently,  but  with 
terrible  vigor.  Having  entered  the  works  in  two  wings,  the 
unfortunate  Yankees  were  thus  surrounded,  and  the  first  cross- 
fire delivered  by  the  Louisianians  cut  them  down  by  scores : 
many  more  were  destroyed  with  the  sabre-bayonet  when  our 
men  closed  in  upon  them.  Those  who  attempted  to  jump  out 
of  the  breastwork  were  shot  down  by  our  Georgians,  who  now 
occupied  the  right  pit.  Reenforcements  crossing  the  dam  were 
obstructed  by  the  dead,  the  wounded,  and  those  seeking  to 
return,  so  that  scores  fell  right  and  left  into  the  swamp,  and 
were  half  buried  in  mud  and  water.  The  saddest  part  is  yet  to 
tell.  Smith,  who  commanded  the  Yankee  brigade,  seeing  his 
men  overcome  and  slaughtered  in  the  battery,  ordered  Ayers's 
twenty-two  guns  to  open  fire,  in  order  to  cover  the  retreat,  but 
in  doing  this,  their  shells  killed  as  many  of  their  own  men  as 
of  ours.  The  Louisianians  in  the  battery  and  the  Georgians 
in  the  rifle-pits  continued  the  work  of  destruction,  and  of  the 
few  that  escaped,  many  sank  into  the  swamp,  and  could  not 
extricate  themselves  from  the  mud. 

This  affair  lasted  about  half  an  hour ;  the  enemy  numbered 
near  two  thousand,  while  our  force  did  not  exceed  half  that 
number.  The  scene  of  carnage  was  frightful ;  several  hundreds 
of  the  enemy  might  be  seen  lying  in  all  directions  in  the  bat- 
tery, many  along  the  causeway,  and  more  to  the  right  and  left 
of  it  in  the  swamp.  Our  loss  was  unaccountably  small,  and 
never  did  Louisianians  use  the  bayonet  with  greater  good  will, 
for  they  had  met  for  the  first  time  "real "  Yankees,  (Vermont,) 
who  had  done, more  lying  and  boasting  than  those  of  any  State 
in  the  North — always  excepting  the  arch-hypocrites  and  negro- 
worshippers  of  Massachusetts.  Proud  as  were  our  men  of  this 


BAKBAROUS  CONDUCT  OP  SMITH.          177 

affair,  all  regretted  one  thing,  namely,  that  the  gentlemen  in 
blue  had  not  proved  to  be  Massachusetts  men.  There  was  not 
a  regiment  in  the  service  but  would  have  willingly  marched 
fifty  miles  for  a  fair  fight'  with  double  the  number  of  them. 

Smith,  the  Federal .  Commander,  kept  up  the  cannonade  till 
long  after  sundown,  but  with  more  destruction  to  his  own 
wounded  than  to  us ;  for  as  we  screened  ourselves  during  the 
fire,  it  did  not  cause  us  the  loss  of  a  man.  This  conduct,  if 
nothing  more  were  added,  affords  ample  justification  for  the  as- 
sertions of  the  enemy  that  their  commander  was  completely  in- 
toxicated during  the  whole  affair,  and  incapable  of  conducting 
it.  During  the  night  we  endeavored  to  extricate  the  wounded 
from  the  swamp,  but  our  men  were  repeatedly  fired  upon ;  and 
even  when  a  flag  of  truce  was  sent  across  next  day,  begging,  in 
the  name  of  mercy,  that  we  might  be  permitted  to  look  after 
their  wounded,  whose  groans  and  cries  were  heartrending,  this 
inhuman  commander  refused  to  receive  it,  and  our  men,  being 
fired  upon  a  second  time,  retired,  and  allowed  the  poor  wretch- 
es to  die  from  loss  of  blood  or  hunger.  For  two  days  and  -nights 
this  barbarous  conduct  was  kept  up,  and  the  enemy  were  allow- 
ed to  lie  festering  in  the  sun,  nor  was  any  thing  done  for  them 
until  their  pwn  regiments  (Third,  Fourth,  and  Sixth  Vermont) 
were  withdrawn  from  the  scene.  This  was  done,  doubtless,  to 
screen  the  "real"  loss  from  their  own  troops.  During  the 
night,  however,  many  of  our  men  ventured  across  the  dam,  and 
brought  in  some  of  their  own  dead,  and  buried  many  of  the  en- 
emy's slain,  to  stay  the  increasing  stench  that  arose  from  putre- 
faction. We  also  dragged  out  of  the  swamp  some  who  had 
sunk  to  the  armpits  in  mud  and  water,  but  who  had  sustained 
themselves  by  clinging  to  stumps  and  roots. 

Although  my  thoughts  were  far  from  cheerful  when  standing 
in  the  battery  and  gazing  on  this  awful  scene  of  slaughter,  I 
could  not  but  smile  at  the  indifference  of  a  tall,  hard-fisted,  and 
very  ragged  Texan,  who  was  cautiously  "hunting  up  a  pair  of 
boots  and  pants."  He  was  warned  not  to  show  his  head  above 
the  parapet,  for  the  Yankee^  shapshooters,  armed  with  rifles  of 
a  long  range,  with  telescopic  "sights,"  were  "thick  as  black- 
berries ''  in  the  woods  to  the  front,  and  were  excellent  shots. 
12 


178  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

"  Darn  the  blue-skins,  any  how ;  who's  scared  of  the  blue-bel- 
lies ?  (that  is,  Eastern  men.)    Let  all  the  Yankees  go  to , 

for  all  /  care.  Let  'em  shoot,  and  be  d — d  I  I'm  bound  to  have 
a  pair  of  boots,  any  liow!"  And  so  saying,  he  passed  over  the 
parapet,  down  its  face,  and  returned  with  the  body  of  an  en- 
emy, which  he  had  fished  out  of  the  water.  He  first  pulled  t>ff 
the  boots, •which  proved  to  be  an  excellent  pair;  then  proceed- 
ing to  rifle  the  pockets,  he  found  sixty  dollars  in  gold.  He  was 
much  astonished  and  delighted  at  these  discoveries ;  but  when 
he  examined  the  haversack  and  found  it  well  stored  with  capi-  < 
tal  rations,  including  a  canteen  full  of  fine  rye  whisky,  he  was 
electrified  with  sudden  joy,  dropped  b6ots,  haversack,  and 
money  upon  the  ground,  and  half-emptied  the  canteen  at  a 
draught.  Setting  down  the  can,  he  smacked  his  lips,  and  thus 
soliloquized:  "Well!  poor  devil,  he's  gone,  like  a  mighty  big 
sight  of  'em ;  but  he  was  a  gentleman,  and  deserved  better  luck. 
If  he'd  been  a  Massachusetts  Yankee,  I  wouldn't  a  cared  a  darn! 
but  these  fellows  are  the  right  kind.  They  come  along  with 
good  boots-  and  pants,  lots  to  eat,  money  in  their  pockets,  and 
are  no  mean  judges  of  whisky.  These  are  the  kind  of  fellows 
I  like  to  fight!" 

It  was  not  from  a  brutal  feeling  that  our  men  rifled  the  dead, 
but  sheer  necessity ;  and  although  they  stripped  them  of  any- 
thing needed,  the  bodies  were  invariably  interred  with  decency, 
and  not  mutilated,  as  the  Northern  press  delighted  to  asseverate 
on  all  occasions.  Hardened  as  we  were,  men  would  joke  under 
any  circumstances  —  some  would  even  smoke  during  action ; 
and  it  was  not  uncommon  to  hear  one.  remark,  when  burying 
the  enemy :  "  Well,  Lincoln,  old  Scott,  and  McClellan  promised 
'em  farms  each  in  Virginia  when  all  was  over — old  Virginny  is 
large  enough  to  accommodate  'em  all  with  lots,  seven  by  two!" 
But  this  I  wish  to  repeat — there  was  no  brutality  displayed  on 
any  occasion  that  came  under  my  notice  on  any  field  on  which 
I  was  present.  It  is  true  the  prisoners  were  unmercifully  joked 
occasionally,  but  I  have  always  seen  the  wounded  treated  with 
the  utmost  care ;  and  it  became  a  usual  expression  in  the  hos- 
pitals, when  all  did  not  progress  wel^  with  patients:  "If  I  was 
only  a  Yankee,  the  darned  doctors  would  do  more  for  me  than 
now."  The  dead,  on  all  practicable  occasions,  were  decently 


MARKING   THE  YANKEE   GRAVES.  179 

buried ;  and  in  many  cases  I  have  known  putrid  carcases  han- 
dled and  coffined  by  our  men,  and  even  a  board  placed  at  the 
head  of  the.  grave,  as  at  Leesburgh,  with  the  words:  "Here 
lies  a  Yankee ;  Co.  H,  Fifteenth  Massachusetts."  I  am  em- 
phatic about  this  subject,  for  many  infamous  misrepresentations 
have  been  widely  circulated  regarding  us  by  the  Northern 
press. 


CHAPTEE  XX. 

Fall  of  New-Orleans,  April  twenty-fourth — Preparations  of  Commodore  Hollins 
for  the  Defence — Bombardment  of  the  Forts — Navll  Engagements — Destruc- 
tion of  Cotton  —  Evacuation  of  the  City — Possession  taken  by  Commodore 
Farragut — Arrival  of  General  Butler — His  brutal  Attacks  upon  the  Ladies  of 

New-Orleans — Examples  from  his  General  Orders. 

• 

"Baton  Rouge,  April  — ,  1862. 

"  DEAR  FKIEND  :  Our  beautiful  city  has  fallen,  and  the  de- 
tested flag  of  our  enemy  floats  over  the  Mint ! 

"  The  story  of  our  disgrace  is  a  long  and  painful  one  to  me, 
but  remembering  your  kindness  in  fully  informing  us  of  the 
progress  of  events  in  Virginia,  it  is  but  right  I  return  the  com- 
pliment ;  though,  my  narrative  may  be  wanting  in  many  partic- 
ulars which  history,  at  some  distant  future,  can  alone  be  ex- 
pected to  unfold. 

"  When  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter  proved  that  the 
South  was  determined  to  rid  her  soil  of  the  enemy,  troops 
were  also  sent  to  Pensacola,  seized  Fort  McRea,  Barrancas, 
and  Warrenton,  and  laid  siege  to  the  enemy's  fortifications 
(Fort  Pickens)  on  Santa  Rosa  Island.  Our  forces  there  be- 
gan to  increase  very  rapidly,  and,  under  the  command  of 
General  Bragg,  were  wrought  up  to  a  fine  spirit  of  disci- 
pline and  efficiency.  Except  the  night  surprise  of  the  enemy 
on  Santa  Rosa,  nothing  of  moment  transpired,  the  respective 
forces  being  content  to  fortify  their  positions  and  otherwise 
remain  inactive.  Commodore  Hollins,  who  was  cruising  in 
the  Gulf  when  we  declared  independence,  brought  his  sloop- 
of-war  to  New-Orleans,  surrendered  her  to  the  Confederate 
authorities,  and  accepted  service  under  oiir  banner.  It  was 
natural  to  surmise  that  New-Orleans  would  soon  be  blockaded 
and  attacked  by  the  enemy's  fleet ;  to  meet  which  contingency, 
General  Anderson  was  put  in  command  of  our  land  forces,  and 
Hollins  of  the  naval  department. 


MISSISSIPPI   FORTS.  181 

"The  latter  began  to  prepare  for  the  enemy  by  the  con- 
struction of  fire-rafts,  and  of  various  impediments  for  the  bar 
of  the  river,,  and  other  shallow  places,  besides  superintending 
the  construction  of  some  rude  iron-clad  floating  rams  and  bat- 
teries, the  principal  of  which  was  a  vessel  called  the  Manas- 
sas.  With  his  small  flotilla,  Hollins  could  not  pretend  to 
accomplish  very  much,  but  he  resolved  to  attack  the  Federal 
blockading  vessels  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  the  destruction' 
of  which,  it  was  hoped,  would  enable  us  to  obtain  supplies 
from  Europe  before  the  Federal  navy  'should  be  reenforced. 
In  this  design  he  was  so  far  successful  that  he  sank  one  sloop- 
of-war  and  disabled  several  others ;  but  as  the  ram  Manassas 
proved  unmanageable,  and  had  injured  her  machinery,  Hol- 
lins withdrew  and  returned  to  the  city,  well  satisfied  with  his 
achievements.  In  the  mean  time  Lovell  had  succeeded  Ander- 
son in  the  military  command;  numerous  volunteers  had  joined 
our  forces,  and  even  the  colored  men,  free  and  slave,  formed 
battalions  for  the  defence  of  the  city.  Fortifications  and 
breastworks  innumerable  were  thrown  up,  to  prevent  all 
approach  by  the  lakes  of  the  Mississippi.  These  works  were 
.important,  and,  as  you  know  something  of  the  topography 
of  the  country,  I  enumerate  them,  but  am  not  positive  as  to 
the  number  of  guns  placed  in  each. 

"Fort  Jackson  was  on  the  west,  or  right  bank  of  the  river, 
nearly  opposite  Fort  St.  Philip,  and  twenty-five  miles  from  the 
'Passes'  leading  into  the  Gulf.  It  was  a  very  strong,  case- 
mated  fort,  intended  for  over  one  hundred  guns,  and  will 
conveniently  accommodate  five  hundred  men.  Much  labor 
had  been  expended  on  this  fort,  and  it  was  thought  to  be  im- 
pregnable, but  adverse  circumstances  destroyed  all  our  hopes 
regarding  it.  Fort  St.  Philip  was  on  the  east  or  left  bank  of 
the  river,  nearly  opposite  Fort  Jackson,  seventy  miles  below 
the  city,  and,  being  a  heavy  caseraated  fort,  was  intended  for 
over  one  hundred  guns.  It  was  bombarded  by  the  English  in 
1812 ;  it  had  accommodated  four  hundred  men.  Fort  Living- 
stone was  situated  on  Grand  Terre  Island,  at  the  mouth  of 
Barrataria  Bay,  and  was  destined  for  twenty  or  more  guns. 
Fort  Pike  was  a  casemate  fortification,  placed  at  the  Rigolettes, 
or  North  Pass,  between  Lake  Borgue  and  Lake  Pontchartrain, 
commanding  the  entrance  to  the  lake,  and  the  main  channel  to 


182  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

the  gulf  in  that  direction.  The  amount  of  its  armament  I 
could  never  learn ;  Fort  Macomb  guarded  the  South  Pass,  be- 
tween Lakes  Borgue  and  Pontchartrain,  and  had  a  dozen  or 
more  guns.  Fort  Dupre  was  a  small  fort  commanding  Bayou 
Dupre*  into  Lake  Borgue.  Proctor's  Tower  was  another  small 
work  on  Lake  Borgue ;  and  Battery  Bienvenue  at  the  entrance 
of  Bayou  Bienvenue  into  Lake  Borgue.  Besides  these  latter 
small  batteries,  mounting  a  few  guns,  were  the  Chalmette  Bat- 
teries, above  Fort  Jackson,  and  much  nearer  the  city.* 

"  From  the  enthusiasm  of  our  population,  and  the  alacrity 
with  which  they  mustered  under  arms,  it  was  considered  im- 
possible for  the  enemy  to  successfully . '  run '  the  forts  on  the 
river  and  effect  a  landing,  for  a  long  chain  of  breastworks 
stretched  away  in  different  parts  of  the  city  suburbs,  and  at 
one  time  we  had  not  fewer  than  twenty-four  thousand  men 
under  arms,  including  three  thousand  free  negroes,  who  vol- 
unteered to  defend  them.  Notwithstanding  all  this  apparent 
enthusiasm,  there  were  undoubtedly  many  traitors  going  to 
and  fro  in  our  midst;  and  much  information  was  carried  to 
the  enemy  by  runaways,  and  by  fishermen  who  were  allowed 
free  passes  to  transact  their  business  on  the  river.  Some  fif- 
teen or  twenty  thousand  bales  of  cotton  were  in  warehouses 
or  on  the  landing  ready  for  shipment,  in  case  the  enemy  should 
leave  the  mouth  of  the  river,  together  with  much  tobacco 
owned  by  foreign  merchants.  Our-  planters  persisted  in  send- 
ing cotton  down  the  river,  and  this  acted  as  a  temptation  to 
the  enemy  to  attempt  the  capture  of  the  city. 

"  Society  at  New-Orleans  showed  little  sensitiveness  to  the 
great  struggle  in  which  we  were  engaged.  Festivity  was  the 
order  of  the  day ;  balls,  parties,  theatres,  operas,  and  the 
like,  continued  as  if  we  were  not  in  the  midst  of  a  furious 
war,  with  our  beloved  sons,  brothers,  and  relatives  bleeding 
and  dying  on  distant  battle-fields.  We  felt  too  secure.  We 
considered  it  impossible  for  any  force  to  capture  the  place. 
1  Jackson,  with  a  handful  of  men,  and  a  few  cotton-bales,  had 
defeated  Packenham  in  1812,'  many  said;  and  as  we  con- 
sidered the  enemy  much  inferior  to  the  British  in  all  re- 

*  All  these  positions,  guarding  the  approaches  to  New-Orleans  from  the  Gulf,  arc 
distinctly  ehown  on  the  ordinary  maps. 


PREPARATIONS  FOR  DEFENCE.  183 

spects,  and  our  present  defences  vastly  superior  to  those  of 
former  timest  all  were  confident  of  victory  in  case  of  attack. 
None  doubted  the  loyalty  of  our  people,  our  generals,  or  the 
Gover»ment.  Shipwrights  were  busy  in  preparing  new  rams 
and  floating  batteries ;  foundries  and  steam-hammers  were  in. 
full  blast,  night  and  day,  preparing  boilers,  machinery,  and 
iron  plates ;  and  several  mammoth  rams  and  iron  floating  bat- 
teries were  promised  at  an  early  day  by  the  contractors — two 
Northern  men.  So  much  delay,  however,  occurred  in  fitting 
and  finishing  them,  that  when  the  enemy  approached  we  had 
none  of  these  vessels  to  assist  in  the  defence.  Worse  than 
all,  our  generals  at  Corinth  were  continually  calling  upon 
Lovell  for  troops;  so  that  our  original  twenty-four  thousand 
rapidly  dwindled  down  to  a  very  low  figure.  Northern  papers 
boasted  that  their  fleets  and  forces  could  annihilate  our  city  at 
any  time;  Butler  was  reported  to  have  said,  'he  held  the 
keys  of  New-Orleans';'  but  all  such  talk  was  considered  pure 
Yankee  twaddle,  and  none  ever  dreamed  he  had  foundation 
for  such  boastings. 

"  Depending  entirely  upon  our  river  batteries,  we  anxiously 
awaited  the  enemy's  approach ;  but  they  seemed  tardy  in  their 
movements,  and  cruised  about  the  Gulf  with  evident  indecision, 
so  that  every  one  began  to  smile  and  say  :  '  They  would  think 
twice  before  attempting  a  rehearsal  of  the  scenes  of  1812  !'  I 
do  not  remember  what  force  the  enemy  had  in  gunboats,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  river,  but  the  fact  soon  became  known  that  Com- 
modore Farragut  was  in  command,  and  that  he  made  light  of 
our  fortifications.  As  it  was  considered  unadvisable  to  attempt 
a  defence  of  the  '  passes,'  the  works  at  those  points  had  been 
dismantled  some  time  before,  and  the  guns  carried  to  the  city. 
"We  had  sunk  barriers  (sunken  vessels,  etc.)  in  the  river>  about 
a  mile  below  Forts  Jackson  and  Philip,  and  it  was  thought  they 
would  effectually  stop  the  enemy's  progress ;  but  the  swiftness 
of  the  current  carried  many  away,  and  before  others  could  be 
placed  there,  the  enemy  slowly  steamed  up  the  stream  in  strong 
force,  on  the  sixteenth  of  April,  and  prepared  to  attack  the 
forts. 

"  In  the  city  these  threatening  appearances  were  but  little 
heeded — we  considered  ourselves  impregnable;  Farragut's  boats 


184-  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF   THE   SOUTH. 

were  treated  with  contempt,  and  even  the  terrific  bombardment 
was  looked  upon  as  a  fine  spectacle.  Duncan,  in  Fort  Jackson, 
kept  all  fully  informed  of  the  progress  of  events  below  ;  thou- 
sands flocked  down  the  river,  and  on  the  Levees  viewed  the 
bdmbardment  with  evident  pleasure,  for  it  was  soon  ascertained 
that  the  enemy's  fire  was  inaccurate,  and  that  few,  if  any,  of 
their  eleven-inch  shell  ever  touched  the  forts.  At  night  the 
greatest  vigilance  was  maintained  to  inform  commanders  of 
the  enemy's  movements.  On  the  twenty-ttiird  the  terrific  bom- 
bardment had  continued  a  whole  week ;  they  had  thrown  over 
twenty-five  thousand  shells ;  and  Duncan  reported  that  two  of 
his  guns  in  Fort  Jackson  were  dismounted ;  half  -a  dozen  killed 
and  wounded  was  the  total  loss,  and  the  works  were  as  sound 
as  ever. 

"  The  evening  of  the  twenty-third  closed  as  others  had  done 
for  the  past  seven  days ;  our  defences  were  thought  to  be  im- 
passable, and  strong  hopes  were  entertained  that  Farragut 
would  soon  give  up  the  conflict  as  fruitless  and  abortive.  To- 
wards three  A.M.  on  the  morning  of  the  twenty-fourth,  the  en- 
emy were  descried  creeping  up  the  river  in  full  force,  and  as 
they  steamed  abreast  of  the  forts  were  received  with  deafening 
roars  from  our  artillery.  The  conflict  then  became  furious ;  the 
enemy  fought  admirably,. however,  and  passed  the  forts,  Farra- 
gut leading  in  the  Hartford ;  but  had  not  proceeded  far 'when 
they  encountered  our  small  fleet  of  seventeen  vessels  of  differ- 
ent kinds.  Except  the  old  Manassas  and  the  Louisiana,  the 
rest  of  our  vessels  were  vulnerable,  so  that  the  destruction,  con- 
fusion, and  noise  were  terrible.  The  Louisiana  was  unmanage- 
able, and  could  only  use  two  of  her  nine  guns ;  so  when  it  was 
perceived  that  nothing  could  prevent  the  enemy  from  breaking 
our  line,  she  was  run  ashore,  and  blown  up,  although  the  en- 
emy's broadsides  had  not  injured  her  in  the  least.  The  Gov-« 
ernor  Moore,  another  of  our  boats,  acted  nobly  among  the  en- 
emy's twelve  heavy  sloops  of  war  and  gunboats,  and  fired  her 
last  cartridge  at  point-blank  range,  but  was  also  run  ashore  and 
blown  up  to  prevent  capture. 

"  The  action  was  in  full  progress  when  news  reached,  the  city 
that  Farragut's  fleets  had  passed  the  forts  and  had  successfully 
engaged  our  ships.  The  scene  of  confusion  that  ensued  in 


EXCITEMENT  IN  THE  CITY.  185 

town  defies  all  description.  People  were  amazed,  and  could 
scarcely  realize  the  awful  fact,  and  ran  hither  and  thither  in 
speechless  astonishment.  Very  soon  the  flames  seen  issuing 
from  shipyards  in  Algiers  and  other'plac'es,  convinced  them  that 
the  news  was  authentic,  and  that  Government  officers  were 
then  busily  engaged  destroying  every  thing  that  was  likely  to 
be  of  value  to  the  enemy.  Tlie  unfinished  Mississippi  and 
other  vessels  were  scuttled  or  fired,  ammunition  destroyed,  and 
shot  sunk  in  the  river.  The  people,  on  their  part,  proceeded 
to  the  various  cotton-presses,  rolled  out  thousands  of  bales,  and 
applied  the  torch ;  countless  cotton  ships  were  also  sunk  or  fired, 
steamboats  by  the  dozen  similarly  destroyed.  As  the  roar  of 
cannon  drew  nearer,  the  heat  of  the  sun,  and  conflagrations  in 
every  direction,  made  the  atmosphere  oppressively  hot,  while 
dense  columns  of  smoke  darkened  the  air.  The  scene  was  one 
of  terrible  grandeur,  the  effect  of  which  was  much  heightened 
by  the  tolling  of  alarm  bells  in  the  city. 

"Banks,  and  all  who  had  any  thing  to  save,  were  busy  send- 
ing away  their  valuables ;  and  their  having  done  so  in  good 
time  prevented  several  millions  of  specie  from  falling  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy.  Long  lines  of  army  wagons,  carriages, 
pedestrians,  and  horsemen,  left  the  town  by  every  avenue ;  the 
wildest  consternation  and  dejection  seemed  to  have  seized  all ; 
the  revulsion  of  feeling  was  awful.  Having  narrowly  escaped 
capture  in  the  naval  en^gement,  Lovell  rode  rapidly  by  the 
Levee  road,  and  arrived  in  town  about  two  P.M.  Crowds 
gathered  round  him  while  he  related  the  chief  features  of  the 
engagement  below,  bearing  testimony  to  the  heroism  of  our 
little  navy^of  hidifFerent  vessels,  and  seeming  heart-broken  at 
the  unexpected  calamity  which  had  befallen  us.  He  consider- 
ed it  advisable  for  his  few  soldiers  to  retire  without  the  limits  of 
the  city  to  avert  a  bombardment,  and  this  idea  was  fully  in- 
dorsed by  the  City  Council.  Accordingly,  late  in  the  day,  his 
whole  force  of  not  more  than  two  thousand  effective  men  de- 
parted by  rail  some  fifteen  miles  above  the  city,  with  orders  to 
keep  within  easy  call  in  case  of  emergency.  It  now  became  a 
difficult  task  for  the  City  Council  to  preserve  order,  as  many, 
under  the  guise  of  patriotism,  were  laying  violent  hands  on  the 
property  of  others.  Sad  faces  and  angry  gesticulation  met  one 


186  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE  SOUTH. 

at  every  turn ;  people  seemed  paralyzed,  and  could  not  com- 
prehend the  extent  of  the  great  and  humiliating  visitation. 
The  thing  was  incredible ! 

"  At  Fort  Jackson  and  Fort  Philip  our  loss  had  been  trifling — 
not  a  hundred  men  in  all.  Their  guns  were  untouched ;  am- 
munition plentiful ;  the  walls  *intact !  yet  Farragut  had  passed 
them,  under  an  annihilating  shower  of  rifled  shot,  and  was  still 
approaching,  carrying  all  before  him,  shelling  right  and  left 
wherever  there  seemed  to  be  the  least  appearance  of  opposition. 
He  was  within  a  few  miles  of  the  city — the  smoke  from  his 
vessels  could  be  plainly  seen  curling  over  the  woods  in  the 
bends  of  the  river,  and  he  must  soon  arrive.  Whatever  was  to 
be  accomplished  must  be  done  quickly ;  no  time  was  to  be  lost 
in  idle  recrimination  or  empty  rage ;  moments  were  precious, 
and  the  watchword  of  all  was  work  !  Large  stores  of  tobacco 
were  now  burned  on  every  hand,  save  where  a  foreign  flag 
floated  to  protect  it.  Sugar,  molasses,  and  rice,  in  thousands 
of  hogsheads,  were  thrown  into  the  river  or  scattered  through 
the  streets  and  gutters.  Men  seemed  wrought  into  a  frenzy  of 
desperation,  and  broke,  or  burned,  or  sank  every  thing  that 
might  prove  of  use  to  the  enemy,  so  that  within  a  few  hours 
subsequent  to  Lovell's  official  information  the  whole  city  pre- 
sented an  indescribable  scene  of  confusion,  and  property  worth 
many  millions  was  destroyed  in  an  incredibly  short  space  of 
time.  This  scene  of  uproar  and  confusion  continued  through- 
out the  day  and  all  night,  while  now  and  then  heavy  guns 
could  be  heard  down  the  river,  as  if  the  enemy  were  cautiously 
approaching  and  firing  at  every  object  that  seemed  suspicious. 
Crowds  of  the  poor  were  enjoying  a  rich  harvest  by  this  whole- 
sale destruction  of  property,  and  scores  of  them  could  be  seen 
with  baskets,  and  bags,  and  drays,  carrying  off  to  their  homes 
whatever  of  sugar,  molasses,  rice,  bacon,  etc.,  fell  in  their  way. 
A  low  murmuring  noise  filled  the  air — it  was  the  conversation 
of  assembled  thousands.  Many  were  unanimous  for  destroying 
the  city,  rather  than  permit  it  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  en- 
emy ;  but  the  opinion  prevailed  that,  owing  to  the  great  num- 
bers of  poor,  the  place  was  entirely  at  the  mercy  of  the  foe,  and 
nothing  should  be  done  to  tempt  a  bombardment. 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  twenty-fifth,  Farragut's  advance  was 


DESTRUCTION  OF  PROPERTY.  187 

observed  steaming  up  towards  the  city.  "When  abreast  of  the 
Chalmette  batteries,  on  both  sides  of  the  city,  he  was  saluted 
with  volleys  from  the  earthworks,  but,  being  uninjured,  ran 
past  and  cast  anchor  at  intervals  before  the  city,  with  ports  open 
and  every  preparation  made  for  a  bombardment.  Farragut  then 
opened  communication  with  the  Mayor,  and  demanded  the  sur- 
render of  the  town,  together  with  Lovell's  forces ;  but  the  lat- 
ter were  now  far"  away,  and  Mayor  Monroe  commenced  a  spirit- 
ed correspondence  with  the  Commodore.  He  admitted  they 
had  no  force  with  which  to  oppose  the  enemy  ;  yet  as  they  came 
uninvited,  and  as  the  people  disclaimed  all  relationship  with 
the  Northern  Government,  it  was  impossible  to  make  a  formal 
surrender  of  the  place.  If  the  Admiral  desired  the  removal  of 
objectionable  flags  floating  over  the  City  Hall,  he  must  do  it 
by  his  own  force  ;  for  not  a  man,  woman,  or  child,  of  any  color, 
could  be  found  in  their  midst  who  would  lay  a  traitor's  hand 
upon  the  flag  of  their  adoption. 

"  In  tlft  mean  time,  the  destruction  of  property  continued  on 
every,  hand ;  and  at  length  Farragut  was  so  exasperated,  that 
he  swore  he  would  reduce  the  place  to  ashes  unless  the  State 
flag  was  removed  from  the  principal  buildings.  Still,  so  long 
as  Forts  St.  Philip,  Jackson,  and  the  Chalmette  batteries  re- 
mained intact,  it  was  thought  that  something  might  be  done  to 
save  the  city,  and  in  this  hope  the  correspondence  was  pro- 
tracted. But  evil  tidings  were  in  store  for  us !  .  While  Farra- 
gut and  Mayor  Monroe  were  exchanging  angry  tetters  of  great 
length,  the  sad  news  reached  us  that  Forts  St.  Philip  and  Jack- 
son had  surrendered  to  the  enemy  on  account  of  a  mutiny  among 
their  garrisons.  "When  Duncan  heard  it,  he  used  every  means 
in  his  power  to  persuade  his  men  to  return  to  their  duty,  and 
even  threatened  to  turn  his  guns  upon  them.  He  was  in  earn- 
est, and  a  desperate  man ;  but,  on  examining  his  guns,  he  found 
many  spiked,  several  dismounted,  and  not  less  than  three  hun- 
dred men  clamoring  around  him  for  a  surrender.  The  situation 
of  the  heroic  Duncan  was  pitiable.  He  begged,  besought  his 
men  to  stand  to  their  arms,  vowed  that  the  forts  were  impreg- 
nable, and  that  he  could  blow  up  all  Butler's  transports  *  in  a 

*  Butler's  land  forces  were  on  Ship  Island  and  Mississippi  City.  Had  he  attempt- 
ed to  march  overland  upon  New-Orleans,  the  "  Levees  "  would  have  been  cut  and 
his  men  drowned  in  the  swamps. 


188  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

trice,  if  they  onjy  resolved  to  stand  by  him  to  the  last ;  for  it 
was  an  eternal  shame  to  give  up  the  works,  provisioned  as  they 
were,  and  scarcely  touched  by  the  enemy.  All  the  eloquence 
in  the  world,  however,  could  not  affect  these  soulless  traitors; 
and  as  poor  Duncan,  ragged,  dusty,  powder-blackened,  and 
exhausted,  narrated  the  circumstance  of  his  fall,  he  wept  like  a 
child,  while  crowds  around  him  remained  mute  with  astonish- 
ment, and  hung  their  heads  as  men  doomed  to  *  humiliation  and 
shame. 

"  Farragut,  being  informed  of  all  these  things,  was  in  a  hurry 
to  expedite  the  full  and  formal  surrender  of  the  city  before  the 
arrival  of  Butler,  who  was  now  known  to  be  on  his  way.  The 
correspondence  between  the  Commodore  and  the  Mayor  had 
lasted  from  the  twenty-fourth  to  the  twenty-eighth,  and  on  the 
last-named  day  Farragut  vowed  to  bombard  the  city  if  the  State 
flag  was  not  hauled  down,  giving  forty-eight  hours'  formal 
notice  for  the  removal  of  women  and  children.  He  did  not 
put  this  threat  into  execution,  however,  but  reiterated  his  de- 
mand on  Monday,  the  thirtieth,  without  effect.  On  Tuesday 
morning,  he  sent  on  shore  a  party  o'f  two  hundred  marines, 
•with  two  brass  howitzers,  who  marched  through  the  streets, 
and,  forming  before  the  City  Hall,  the  objectionable  State  ban- 
ner— the  sign  of  all  State  rights — was  torn  down,  and  the  Stars 
and  Stripes,  an  emblem  of  tyrannical  oppression,  raised  instead. 
The  ceremony  was  witnessed  by  a  silent  crowd  of  many  thou- 
sands, but  jt  went  off  quietly ;  the  force  returning  to  their  ships 
without  a  word  of  reproach  or  the  least  sign  of  resistance. 

"  But  the  detested  flag  had  not  long  remained  on  the  dome, 
when  some  young  men  ascended  and  tore  it  down,  and  dragged 
it  through  the  streets  in  triumph.  Then  Farragut  moved  his 
vessels  closer  to  the  city,  and  again  threatened  to  bombard  it, 
but  again  abstained  from  doing  so.  Many  of  the  citizens  fired 
upon  the  vessels,  but  did  no  harm.  Yet,  the  first  man  that  ad' 
vanced  to  meet  Farragut  on  his  landing,  and  welcome  the  return 
of  Federal  authority  to  the  city,  had  scarcely  taken  the  Com- 
modore's hand,  ere  a  shot  from  the  crowd  sent  him  to  eternity ! 
The  enemy,  however,  were  careful  not  to  move  about  in  de- 
tached parties;  for  there  were  bands  of  desperate  men  who 
had  vowed  to  slay  all  who  came  in  their  way,  so  that  they 


GENERAL   BUTLER.  .  189 

remained  on  board,  and  did  not  attempt  to  stir  through  the  city 
until  the  arrival  of  Butler's  force,  which  landed  on  the  first  of 
May.* 

*  The  rule  of.  General  Butler  in  New-Orleans  has  been  forever  rendered  odious 
and  detestable  by  his  many  acts  of  cruelty,  despotism,  and  indecency.  Nor  shall  I 
add  more  than  say,  that  he  has  rendered  himself  contemptible  to  friends  and  foes 
throughout  the  civilized  world.  His  General  Orders  are  a  mass  of  cruelty  and 
folly — an  eternal  monument  of  his  debased  and  indefensible  character ;  and  in  his 
persecution  of  women,  he  has  shown  his  unmanly  disposition  and  temper,  beyond 
all  former  example.  I  subjoin  a  few  specimens  of  his  General  Orders : 

"  Seadq-uarters,  Department  of  the  Gulf, 
New-Orleans,  1862. 

"  General  Orders,  No.  150. 

"  Mrs.  Phillips,  wife  of  Philip  Phillips,  having  been  once  imprisoned  for  her  trai- 
torous proclivities  and  acts  at  Washington,  and  released  by  the  Government,  and 
having  been  found  training  her  children  to  spit  upon  officers  of  the  United  States, 
for  which  act  of  one  of  those  children  bpth  her  husband  and  herself  apologized  and 
were  forgiven,  is  now  found  on  the  balcony  of  her  house,  during  the  passage  of  the 
funeral  procession  of  Lieutenant  De  Kay,  laughing  and  mocking  at  his  remains ;  and 
upon  being  inquired  of  by  the  Commanding  General  if  this  fact  were  so,  contempt, 
uously  replies :  '  I  was  in  good  spirits  that  day,' 

"  It  is,  therefore,  ordered  that  she  be  not  '  regarded  and  treated  as  a  common 
woman,'  of  whom  no  officer  or  soldier  is  bound  to  take  notice,  but  as  an  uncom- 
mon, bad,  and  dangerous  woman,  stirring  up  strife  and  inciting  to  riot.  . 

"  And  that,  therefore,  she  be  confined  at  Ship  Island,  in  the  State  of  Mississippi, 
within  proper  limits  there  till  further  orders,  and  that  she  be  allowed  one  female 
servant  and  no  more,  if  she  so  chooses.  That  one  of  the  houses  for  hospital  pur- 
poses be  assigned  her  as  quarters,  and  a  soldier's  ration  each  day  be  served  out  to 
her,  with  the  means  of  cooking  the  same,  and  that  no  verbal  or  written  communi- 
cation be  allowed  with  her,  except  through  this  office,  and  that  she  be  kept  in  close 
confinement  until  removed  to  Ship  Island. 

"  By  command  of  Major-General  BUTLER. 

"  R.  S.  DAVIS, 
"  Captain  and  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant- General." 

The  truth  of  the  case  is  as  follows :  Mrs.  Phillips  (wife  of  Philip  Phillips,  formerly 
United  States  Senator  from  Alabama)  was  standing  on  her  balcony ;  and  when  the 
cortege  passed,  many  children  in  the  next  house — who  had  a  dancing  party — ran  to 
the  balcony,  and  all  began  to  laugh.  She  was  treated  barbarously  on  Ship  Island, 
and  went  deranged;  but  Butler  laughed  at  her  sufferings,  and  would  not  mitigate 
the  punishment,  saying  that  "  all  women  were  strumpets  who  laughed  at  Federal 
soldiers."  He  wished  it  to  be  believed  that  he  was  fearless,  yet  he  wore  armor 
under  his  clothes,  slept  on  board  ship,  and  was  never  for  a  moment  without  an 
armed  guard,  whether  in  or  out  of  his  house,  while  several  pistols,  ready  cocked 
and  capped,  lay  beside  him,  and  sentinels  walked  within  five  paces  of  him.  He 
had  a  large  sign  placed  in  his  office  in  the  St.  Charles's  Hotel,  with  the  inscription : 
"A  she  adder  bites  worse  than  a  male  adder." 


190  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

i"  This  is  the  simple  narration  of  our  fall  and  lasting  disgrace. 
No  blame  can  attach  to  Lovell  or  to  other  officers  in  command — 
all  did  their  duty ;  but  none  expected  that  Farragut  would  ever 

"Special  Order,  No.  151. 

"  Fidel  Keller  has  been  found  exhibiting  a  human  skeleton  in  his  window,  in  a 
public  place,  in  this  city,  labelled  'Chickahominy,'  in  large  letters,  meaning  and  in- 
tending that  the  bones  should  be  taken  by  the  populace  to  be  the  bones  of  a  United 
States  soldier  slain  in  that  battle,  in  order  to  bring  the  authority  of  the  United  States 
and  our  army  into  contempt,  and  for  that  purpose  had  stated  to  the  passers-by  that 
the  bones  were  those  of  a  Yankee  soldier,  whereas,  in  truth  and  fact,  they  were 
the  bones  purchased  some  weeks  before  of  a  Mexican  consul,  to  whom  they  were 
pledged  by  a  medical  student. 

41  It  is,  therefore,  ordered  that  for  this  desecration  of  the  dead,  he  be  confined 
at  Ship  Island  for  two  years  at  hard  labor,  and  that  he  be  allowed  to  communicate 
with  no  person  on  the  Island,  except  Mrs.  Phillips,  who  has  been  sent  there  for  a 
like  offence. 

"  Any  written  message  may  be  sent  to  him  through  these  head-quarters. 

"  Upon  this  order  being  read  to  him,  the  said  Keller  requested  that  so  much  of 
it  as  associated  him  with  '  that  woman '  might  be  recalled,  which  request  was,  there- 
fore, reduced  to  writing  by  him,  as  follows : 

"'New- Orleans,  June  30th,  1862. 

*' '  Mr.  Keller  desires  that  a  part  of  the  sentence  which  refers  to  the  communica- 
tion with  Mrs.  Phillips  be  stricken  out,  as  he  does  not  wish  to  have  communication 
with  Mrs.  Phillips.'  (Signed)  F.  KELLER. 

" '  Witness :  D.  WATERS.' 

"  Said  request  seeming  to  the  Commanding  General  to  be  reasonable,  so  much 
of  said  orders  is  revoked,  and  the  remainder  will  be  executed. — By  order  of  Major- 
General  Butler.  R.  S.  DAVIS, 

"  Captain  and  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant-  General.1" 

The  truth  is,  that  Mr.  Keller  was  informed  by  the  soldiers  that  the  Mrs.  Phillips 
on  the  Island  was  a  prostitute ;  and  as  he  knew  there  was  an  infamous  character  of 
the  same  name,  he  declined  all  communication  with  her.  Having  discovered  his 
mistake,  and  found  that  the  lady  was  Mrs.  Senator  Phillips,  he  wrote  frequently  to 
Butler  to  recall  his  protest,  and  be  allowed  to  see  the  afflicted  lady.  The  request 
was  refused,  and  his  punishment  increased. 

"  Head-quarters  Department  of  the  Gulf, 
"  New- Orleans,  June  30th,  1862. 

"Special  Order,  No.  152. 

"  John  W.  Andrews  exhibited  a  cross,  the  emblem  of  the  suffering  of  our  blessed 
Saviour,  fashioned  Tor  personal  ornament,  which  he  said  was  made  from  the  bones 
of  a  Yankee  soldier,  and  having  shown  this,  too,  without  rebuke,  in  the  Louisiana 
Club,  which  claims  to  be  composed  of  chivalric  gentlemen : 

"  It  is,  therefore,  ordered  that  for  this  desecration  of  the  dead,  he  be  confined 
at  hard  labor  for  two  years  on  the  fortifications  at  Ship  Island,  and  that  he  be  al- 


TREASON  SOMEWHERE.  191 

dream  of  running  the  batteries  below ;  and  none  could  imagine 
that  the  enemy  could  find  entrance  into  the  forts  and  corrupt 
the  men.  Had  Government  shown  less  confidence  in  the  land 
defences',  and  hurried  on  the  construction  of  a  powerful  fleet  of 
iron-clads,  Farragut's  passage  of  the  forts  would  have  involved 
him  "in  certain  destruction.  History  may  reveal  on  whose  heads 
should  rest  the  blame  and  shame.  There  has  been  vile  treason 
among  us,  but  who  the  traitors  are  few  can  tell ;  yet  it  is  pre- 
posterous to  suppose  that  Government  would  have  neglected 
any  thing  for  our  defence  and  safety  had  not  overweening  con- 
fidence of  those  in  command  led  them  to  report  daily  that  '  the 
city  was  impregnable,  and  fit  for  a  defence  of  any  length.'  Our 

lowed  no  verbal  or  written  communication  to  or  with  any  one  except  through  these 
head-quarters. — By  order  of  Major-General  Butler. 

11 R.  S.  DAVIS,"" 
"  Captain  and  Assistant  Adjutant- General.". 

A  lady  friend,  who  has  known  Butler  for  years,  writes  as  follows : 
"  I  have  known  Butler  by  sight  and  reputation  some  fifteen  years,  and  so  was 
not  at  all  surprised  by  his  order  No.  28,  nor  would  any  woman  be  who  has  lived  so 
long  in  the  city  of  which*he  is  a  resident.  It  seemed  to  me  quite  natural  that  he 
should  seek  to  place  as  many  ladies  as  possible  in  a  position  in  which  he  would 
feel  most  at  home  with  them.  If  there  be  feminine  spite  in  the  insinuation,  it  is  a 
pity  his  character  is  not  likely  to  contradict  it.  You  know  how  unscrupulous  he 
has  always  been  as  a  politician ;  but  perhaps  you  don't  know  that  in  his  legal  prac 
tice  he  is  as  coarse  and  brutal  as  he  is  able.  One  day  he  was  cross-examining  a 
witness  with  his  usual  insolence*,  when  somebody  ventured  to  hint  that  even  Gene- 
ral Butler  might  condescend  to  treat  an  eminent  professor«of  Harvard  College  with 
a  little  respect.  '  Pooh,'  said  bully  Ben,  '  how  long  is  it  since  we  hanged  one  of 
those  fellows?'" 

Considering  the  character  of  the  infamous  order  issued  by  Butler  with  reference 
to  the  ladies  of  New-Orleans,  the  following  will  be  thought  a  well-designed  act  of 
retributive  Justice.  Preparations  were  making  for  a  dress  parade,  and  a  number 
of  officers  had  congregated  in  front  of  the  St.  Charles,  Butler's  head-quarters.  A 
handsome  carriage  was  driven  in  front  of  the  hotel,  accompanied  by  servants  hi 
livery,  with  every  sign  of  wealth  and  taste  in  the  owner  of  the  equipage.  The 
occupant,  dressed  in  the  latest  fashion  and  sparkling  with  jewelry,  drew  from  her 
pocket  her  gold  card-case,  and  taking  therefrom  her  card,  sent  it  up  to  Butler's 
rooms.  The  next  day  himself  and  lady  called  at  the  residence  indicated  on  the 
card — a  fine  mansion  in  a  fashionable  part  of  the  city — where  a  couple  of  hours 
were  agreeably  spent  in  conversation,  followed  by  the  introduction  of  wine  and 
cake,  when  the  highly  delighted  visitors  took  their  departure.  Picayune  Butler 
did  not  appreciate  the  fact  that  he  had  been  made  the  victim  of  a  successful  "  sell," 
until  he  learned  shortly  afterwards  that  he  had  been  paying  his  respects  to  the  pro- 
prietress of  one  of  the  most  celebrated  bagnioa.in  the  State,  who  is  at  this  time 
"contidered  a  woman  of  the  town,  plying  her  vocation  at  svch." 


192  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE  SOUTH. 

pride  and  vanity  are  sorely  punished,  our  routes  to  Texas  and 
the  Gulf  completely  broken  up,  and  ere  long  you  will  find  the 
Father  of  Waters  swept  by  innumerable  gunboats,  totally  sev- 
ering us  from  all  communication  with  States  west  of  the  river. 
Excuse  haste;  I  am  dejected  and  weary,  shamed,  mortified, 
humiliated.  I  scarcely  know  what  to  think  or  say,  but  am  con- 
fident if  Providence  has  punished  our  once  gay  city  by  turning 
it  over  to  the  enemy,  it  will  return  to  us  again,  purified  from 
all  that  has  long  festered  in  our  midst,  and  brought  upon  our 
country  this  unspeakable  calamity. 

"Yours,  etc.,  EVANS." 


CHAPTEE  XXL 

Of  our  Officers  generally — Regimental  Officers — Surgeons  and  Parsons — Episcopa- 
lian Ministers — Roman  Catholic  Priests — Jesuits  on  the  Field  of  Battle. 

AN  army  so  suddenly  gathered  as  ours,  will  always  abound 
in  incompetent  officers.  The  privilege  of  volunteers  to  elect 
their  own  officers  may  seem  at  first  like  an  excellent  pro- 
vision for  the  selection  of  the  most  competent,  but  experience 
has  proved  that  this  privilege,  uncontrolled  by  some  competent 
authority,  is  the  parent  of  many  abuses,  and  countenances  great 
incapacity.  The  question  with  the  men  is,  not  "  who  is  the  best 
soldier,"  or  "the  most  experienced  among  us,"  but  "whom  do 
we  like  best  ?"  Hence  the  most  wealthy  are  usually  selected 
for  offices  of  importance  and  trust,  although  experience  almost 
invariably  proves  that  the  greatest  amount  of  talent  is  found  in 
the  modest  and  unpretending. 

We  had  not  been  in  service  long  ere  this  was  apparent  to  all, 
and  though  many  officers  were  nothing  but  an  incumbrance, 
pride  and  love  of  power  would  not  permit  them  to  resign  the 
gilded  stars  or  shoulder-straps  of  office.  Murmurs  and  com- 
plaints indeed  were  not  wanting  against  some  in  every  corps 
who  had  been  elevated  by  momentary  popularity,  nor  did  this 
discontent  arise  from  that  unhappy  habit  of  murmuring  so  pre- 
valent among  newly  raised  troops.  What  the  capacity  of  our 
Generals  might  be,  none  dared  to  inquire — it  was  enough  that 
the  Administration,  or  General-in-Chief,  had  selected  and  in- 
trusted them  with  commands,  and  the  men  were  far  too  patriotic 
to  question  their  discretion  and  choice.,  But  in  regard  to  regi- 
mental officers  the  men  were  not  so  delicate ;  they  were  criti- 
cised unmercifully,  and  their  deficiencies  magnified  tenfold. 

In  regard  to  the  medical  staffj  Government  had  unconsciously, 
perhaps,  yet  grievously  erred.    How  so  great  a  multitude  of 
incompetents  could  have  cajoled  the  Medical  Board  is  to  me  a 
13 


194:  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

profound  mystery.  In  every  regiment  there  were  not  less  than 
a  dozen  doctors,  from  whom,  for  the  most  part,  our  men  had  as 
much  to  fear  as  from  their  Northern  enemies.  Our  company 
boasted  of  six  who  put  M.D.  to  their  names  by  virtue  of  diplo- 
mas from  some  far-distant  college  or  other ;  but  if  shaken  all 
together,  their  medical  knowledge  would  not  have  sufficed  to 
prescribe  with  safety  a  dose  of  simples !  This  is  truth ;  and 
were  I  to  lengthen  the  subject  by  adverting  to  the  terrible  loss 
arising  from  malpractice  in,  or  profound  ignorance  of,  the  fun- 
damentals of  surgery,  as  evidenced  on  the  plains  of  Manassas, 
I  might  sorrowfully  exclaim  with  the  celebrated  Dr.  Stone  of 
New-Orleans :  "  Our  army  has  suffered  infinitely  more  from  sur- 
gical ignorance  than  from  shot  or  steel  of  the  enemy."  Such 
fearful  havoc  I  could'  never  have  imagined,  as  occurred  from 
medical  incompetency.  Dead  were  being  daily  buried  in  scores ; 
hundreds,  if  not  thousands,  were  lost  to  our  little  army  before 
and  after  Manassas,  from  the  blind  stupidity  and  culpable  pride 
of  medical  pretenders.  But  how  could  we  expect  otherwise  ? 
The  young  delighted  in  this  fine  field  of  practice,  and  became 
expert  at  the  expense  of  the  living ;  their  elders  (I  cannot  say 
betters)  would  lounge  about  and  discourse  pompously  of  every 
thing  but  their  profession,  while  the  hospital  stores  gave  abund- 
ant opportunities  for  indulging  in  their  favorite  habits  of  intox- 
ication. Time  certainly  improved  this  state  of  things,  as  it 
afforded  the  younger  opportunities  of  improvement,  but  at  what 
an  expense  of  life  and  limb  was  their  professional  education 
completed ! 

Another  class  who  patriotically  rushed  to  Eichmond  and  ob- 
tained salaries  to  which  they  were  unaccustomed,  was  a  race  of 
long-jawed,  loud-mouthed  ranters,  termed  for  courtesy's  sake 
ministers  of  the  Gospel.  With  profound  respect  for  a  class 
"  called  of  heaven  "  for  the  administration  of  holy  offices,  I  may 
be  allowed  to  observe  that,  taken  as  a  whole,  these  long-bodied 
individuals  who  were  saddled  on  our  regiments  simply  con- 
sidered themselves  "called"  to  receive  one  hundred  and  twenty 
dollars  per  month,  with  the  rank  of  captain,  and  the  privilege 
of  eating  good  dinners  wherever  chance  or  Providence  pro- 
vided— to  be  terribly  valiant  in  words,  and  offensively  loqua- 
cious upon  every  topic  of  life,  save  men's  salvation.  Where 


CAMP   PREACHERS.  195 

they  all  came  from,  none  knew  or  cared  to  know,  especially  as 
but  little*was  seen  or  heard  of  them,  save  when  some  fortunate 
"mess"  had  turkey  on  chickens,  and  then,  of  course,  the  minister 
was  sure  to  put  in  his  appearance,  and  fuss  about  until  invited 
to  dine.  Most  of  these  gentlemen  were  particularly  condescend- 
ing in  their  small  talk,  could  wink  at  "  trifles  "  after  a  few  weeks' 
residence,  and  sometimes,  betrayed  alarming  proficiency  in  hand- 
ling cards  at  a  social  game  of  poker. 

The  sermons  preached  to  us  were  decidedly  original.  On  one 
occasion  I  was  almost  petrified  to  hear  one  of  the  most  popular 
of  these  camp-  preachers  confess  before  an  audience  of  a  thou- 
sand intelligent  beings  that  "  it  has  never  yet  been  positively 
known  whether  Christ  came  down  from  heaven  to  save  the 
body  or  the  soul  of  a  man !"  I  also  remember  having  heard 
such  words  of  wisdom  from  the  lips  of  some  of  these  worthies 
as  the  following  :  "  It  is  certain  that  God  is  infinite,  and  there- 
fore He  requires  some  infinite  habitation — therefore  space  is 
infinite,  and  was  possibly  prior  to  God."  Another  quietly  re- 
marked to  his  hearers:  "Man  cannot  fulfil  the  law — all  you 
have  to  do  is  to  believe,  trust  to  God  for  and  in  all  things,  and 
as  to  the  rest  you  may  do  as  you  please."  Again,  another  said: 
"If  I  disagree  with  rny  brother  upon  points  of  religion,  it  is  not 
much  matter ;  he  may  believe  in  universal  salvation ;  another 
denies  that  Christ  was  God  ;  one  believes  in  infant  baptism,  anj. 
another  does  not ;  but  all  these  little  things  are  not  of  much 
consequence,  my  brethren ;  all  are  trying  to  get  to  heaven  as 
best  they  can,  and  all  no  doubt  will  finally  reach  there — at  kast, 
we  hope  so  /" 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  little  or  no  good  was  effected 
in  the  army  by  these  "gospel  ministers,"  (as  they  termed  them- 
selves ;)  their  conduct  was  not  as  correct  as  it  might  be ;  and 
they  seemed  so  eaten  up  with  indolence  that  they  were  usually 
considered  as  bores  and  drones.  They  were  seldom  or  never 
found  administering  to  the  sick  or  dying;  service  was  offered 
occasionally ;  but  in  time  of  battle  or  in  the  hour  of  anguish 
at  the  hospital,  they  were  looked  for  in  vain.  Little,  however, 
could  be  expected  from  such  a  class  of  men.  The  majority  had 
received  "  calls  "  to  retire  from  blacksmithing  or  wood-chopping 
to  preach  the  Gospel,  and  as  they  enjoyed  but  little  celebrity  or 


196  BATTLE-FIELDS   OP  THE  SOUTH. 

remuneration  at  home,  they  patriotically  offered  their  services 
to  Government,  and  were  assigned  duty  among  us.  The  proof 
of  their  "  divine  vocation  "  is  seen  in  their  subsequent  conduct, 
for  when  Government,  in  its  calmer  moments,  reduced  their 
salaries,  these  spiritual  heroes  for  the  most  part  resigned,  alleg- 
ing as  reasons  that  eighty  dollars  per  month  and  rations  was 
insufficient  remuneration  (!) 

Nevertheless,  truth  compels  me  to  add,  by  way  of  exception 
to  this  general  condemnation,  that  many  good  and  true  men 
Were  to  be  found,  who,  by  their  upright  conduct,  self-denial, 
and  zeal,  counterbalanced  much  of  the  evil  here  adverted  to. 
Among  others  who  were  distinguished  for  their  correct  deport- 
ment, persevering  industry,  unaffected  piety,  restless  activity, 
and  sound  moral  instruction,  I  would  mention  the  Episcopa- 
lians and  Koman  Catholic  priests.  The  latter,  especially,  were 
remarkably  zealous ;  their  services  were  conducted  every  morn- 
ing in  tents  set  apart  for  the  purpose ;  and  on  Sunday  large 
crowds  of  the  more  Southern  soldiery  were  regular  in  their 
attendance  and  devout  in  their  behavior ;  and  I  have  not  un- 
frequently  seen  General  Beauregard  and  other  officers  kneeling 
with  scores  of  privates  at  the  Holy  Communion  Table.  Such 
an  instance  occurred  on  the  morning  of  Manassas,  and  I  could 
not  help  remarking  it,  as  I  rode  past  in  the  twilight  on  that 
eventful  occasion. 

The  Jesuits  were  perfect  soldiers  in  their  demeanor ;  ever  at 
the  head  of  a  column  in  the  advance,  ever  the  last  in  a  re- 
treat; and  on  the  battle-field  a  black  cassock,  in  a  bending 
posture,  would  always  betray  the  disciple  of  Loyola,  ministering 
to  the  wounded  or  dying.  No  hospital  could  be  found  wherein 
was  not  a  pale-faced,  meek,  and  untiring  man  of  this  order. 
Soldierly  in  their  education  and  bearing,  they  are  ready  for 
any  thing — to  preach,  prescribe  for  the  sick,  or  offer  a  wise  sug- 
gestion on  military  or  social  affairs.  It  is  to  the  foresight  and 
judgment  of  one  of  them  that  Beauregard  and  Johnston  escaped 
death  or  capture  at  Manassas,  for  had  they  not  met  one  of  these 
missionaries  during  the  heat  of  the  conflict,  and  heeded  his 
modest  advice,  one  or  other  of  these  calamities  must  have  in- 
evitably ensued. 


.    CHAPTER  XXII. 

Things  at  Yorktown  Lines  continued — We  evacuate  Yorktown  Lines — Battle  of 
Williamsburgh,  May  fifth — It  is  claimed,  as  usual,  by  the  Federals  as  a  "  Brilliant 
Victory  " — Facts  of  the  Matter — We  offer  the  Enemy  Battle  twice  before  enter- 
ing our  Lines  around  Richmond,  etc. 

EVERY  day  saw  our  troops  gradually  leaving  the  lines,  and 
the  labor  imposed  upon  us  who  remained  was  excessive  and 
exhausting.  We  had  in  truth  been  doing  "  double  duty "  in 
the  front  ever  since  our  arrival ;  but  the  brigade  having  "  un- 
fortunately "  won  good  repute  in  the  army,  we  endured  the 
natural  consequences,  and  were  worked  almost  to  death.  It 
seems  strange  that  generals  should  thus  treat  all  troops  of  any 
celebrity ;  but  such  I  noticed  was  almost  invariably  the  case, 
while  prim  and  spruce  brigades,  which  had  done  nothing  but 
eat  rations  and  parade  were  always  found  snugly  encamped  to 
the  rear,  luxuriating  in  idleness.  Our  position  might  be  con- 
sidered very  "  honorable,"  and  officers  might  pompously  speak 
of  "  posts'of  honor,"  and  such  like,  but  many  like  myself  would 
have  been  infinitely  more  contented  with  less  of  the  "  honor  " 
and  a  greater  allowance  of  rations,  in  a  position  somewhat  more 
distant  than  the  one  occupied  ever  since  our  arrival.  Sleeping 
without  blankets  on  wet  clay,  or  upon  a  bed  of  fence-rails, 
often  indeed  sleeping  upon  the  fence  itself  balancing  and  roost- 
ing on  rails  like  garne-cocks,  was  not  very  poetical  or  easy, 
although  the  general  might  strut  about  and  talk  largely  of 
"  reputation,"  "  imperishable  glory,"  and  the  like ;  and  being 
awakened  twice  or  thrice  each  night  by  stray  bullets  whistling 
around  breastworks,  was  not  quite  so  desirable  as  some  am- 
bitious youths  "  at  home  "  might  imagine !  I  had  seen  much 
service,  it  is  true ;  but  the  climax  seemed  attained  among  the 
muddy,  watery,  slippery  roads  and  breastworks  of  Yorktown 
lines.  I  know  not  what  style  of  picture  artists  may  draw  of  us 


198  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

i 

in  forthcoming  times,  but  suppose  men  of  genius  will  paint  in 
glorious  colors,  in  which  all  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of 
war  will  be  duly  portrayed,  with  bands  and  banners,  fine  cloth 
and  gold  lace;  but  should  any  disciple  of  the  beautiful  and 
true  require  "  a  living  model,"  he  can  dress  his  subject  at  the 
nearest  rag-shop,  and  I  promise  it  will  be  pronounced  "  truthful 
and  lifelike  "  by  any  who  fought  in  '1861  and  1862.  Except 
our  arms  and  accoutrements,  all  things  else  were  worthless. 
Garments  were  perforated  in  all  manner  of  places ;  some  had 
shoes;  but  few  rejoiced  in  more  than  one  suit  of  under  clothes, 
which  had  never  seen  soap  for  months — for  soap  we  had  none. 
A  little  longer  stay  at  Yorktown  lines,  and  I  might  have  ex- 
claimed with  Falstaff :  "There  is  but  half  a  shirt  in  my  whole 
company." 

When  nearly  all  the  troops  had  left,  we  of  the  honorable 
rear-guard  received  notice  to  pack  up  and  prepare  for  departure. 
Having  nothing  to  pack,  it  was  with  great  facility  that  we 
formed  in  line  and  marched  out  of  the  breastworks  about  nine 
P.M.,  Saturday,  May  third.  A  strong  picket-guard  was  left  in 
front  "  to  keep  up  appearances ;"  but  the  enemy  were  as  well 
aware  as  ourselves  of  our  every  movement,  having  made  fre- 
quent ascents  with  their  large  balloon  to  satisfy  themselves  on 
this  point.  The  works  were  left  intact,  but,  save  a  few  un- 
wieldy columbiads,  all  ordnance  had  been  carried  off  many 
days  previously.  Our  men  made  "  dummies,"  and  put  them  in 
the  embrasures,  besides  stuffing  old  clothes  to  represent  sen- 
tinels. These  latter  had  placards  on  their  backs  highly  com- 
plimentary of  course  to  the  "  incoming  "  Yankees :  but  without 
noise,  and  in  perfect  order,  we  sallied  forth  towards  Williams- 
burgh.  The  artillerists  at  Yorktown  had  applied  slow  matches 
to  their  large  pieces,  so  that  during  the  whole  night  the  heavens 
were  illuminated  by  discharges,  the  immense  shells  bursting  in 
all  directions  among  the  Yankee  advance  posts.* 

*  A  good  story  is  told  about  Congressmen,  a  number  of  whom  proceeded  to 
Yorktown  to  see  the  sights  after  the  evacuation.  A  Michigan  colonel  was  in  com- 
mand of  the  guard.  Citizens  were  prohibited  admittance.  Several  came  up  and 
asked  the  corporal  for  permission  to  pass,  on  the  plea  that  they  were  Congressmen. 
The  corporal  stated  the  case  to  the  colonel. 

"  They  are  Congressmen,  are  they  ?"  asked  the  colonel. 

"  So  they  say." 


YORKTOWN  EVACUATED.  199 

When  we  had  travelled  some  fifteen  miles,  a  "halt"  was 
sounded,  for  a  few  moments'  rest ;  but  I  was  so  fatigued  that  I 
fell  sound  asleep,  and  did  not  Wake  till  long  after  sunrise,  by 
which  time  our  troops  had  all  passed,  except  a  few  stragglers, 
who  hurried  on  in  great  haste,  bringing  the  agreeable  news 
that  the  Yankee  cavalry  in  great  force  were  ctose  at  our  heels!  I 
immediately  took  to  the  woods  for  safety,  and  reached  Williams- 
burgh  about  noon.  Expecting  the  enemy  to  pursue,  our  bri- 
gade was  in  battle  array ;  but  up  to  two  P.M.  none  had  appear- 
ed ;  so  the  line  of  march  was  resumed,  and  we  halted  in  the 
streets  of  Williamsburgh,  before  Johnston's  headquarters.  The 
Warwick  and  Yorktown  roads  converge  a  short  distance  east 
of  this  little  town,  the  whole  eastern  part  of  it  being  cleared 
like  a  lawn,  and  exactly  suitable  for  a  fight  Several  Dearth- 
works  fully  commanded  all  this  open  space  and  the  east  por- 
tion of  the  town,  having  been  erected  by  Magruder  to  protect 
his  late  winter-quarters.  A  few  pieces  of  artillery  were  pointed 
eastward  along  the  roads,  when  suddenly  the  enemy  appeared, 
and,  under  cover  of  the  woods,  commenced  shelling  our  re- 
doubts. 

It  was  evident  a  fight  must  come  off  at  this  place,  so  several 
brigades  were  countermarched  through  Williamsburgh,  and 
took  up  positions  in  a  strip  of  wood  on  the  edge  of  the  town. 
The  artillery  were  exchanging  shots  very  briskly,  and  the 
greatest  confusion  was  manifested  by  the  inhabitants.  The 
"  pattering  "  of  musketry  now  became  audible,  but  it  was  gen- 
erally supposed  that  the  fight  would  be  postponed  until  the 
morrow,  (Monday.)  The  enemy's  cavalry,  however,  were  par- 
ticularly active  in  charging  upon  a  few  stragglers  who  endea- 
vored to  break  across  the  open  ground,  when  several  squadrons 
of  ours  attacked  them  sword  in  hand,  upon  which  they  broke, 
re-formed  on  a  rising  ground,  and  as  our  men  galloped  towards 
them  a  second  time,  they  discharged  their  revolvers  and  disap- 
peared. We  captured  many,  and  the  advance  of  infantry  in 
line  across  the  open  ground  drove  them  through  the  woods  for 
two  miles.  At  sunset  all  was  over :  our  outposts  were  fully 

"  Well,  let  them  pass,  and  go  where  they  please,"  said  the  colonel.  "  Let  them 
tramp  on  the  torpedoes,  go  into  the  magazines,  and  where  there  is  any  prospect  of 
their  being  blown  to  the  devil,  for  that  it  the  quickest  way  to  endJhe  war." — North- 
ern Paper. 


• 


200  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

two  miles  east  of  the  town  in  the  woods,  and  maintained  their 
ground.  General  Longstreet  was  intrusted  with  defending  the 
rear  of  the  army,  and  made  every  disposition  to  entice  the  foe 
into  open  ground,  so  that  he  might  soundly  thrash  them  on  the 
morrow.  The  retreat  of  the  main  army  continued  as  if  nothing 
had  happened ;  and  as  our  flank  was  threatened  by  a  force 
which  had  been  hurried  with  great  despatch  up  the  York  River, 
Hood's  Texan  brigade  was  "double  quicked"  to  "West-Point  to 
oppose  the  movement. 

"While  our  brigade  bivouacked  west  of  the  town  waiting  for 
orders,  I  could  not  help  laughing  at  the  wo-begone  features  of 
some  of  our  men,  who,  supposed  to  be  sick,  were  sent  to  King's 
Mill  Landing  on  the  James,  for  shipment  to  Richmond ;  but  the 
Yankee  cavalry  unexpectedly  appearing,  dispersed  them  like 
chaff.  Several  days  before  our  departure  from  Yorktown,  the 
doctors  had  informed  us  that  all  incapable  of  marching  to  Rich- 
mond (seventy-five  miles)  should  give  their  arms  to  the  ord- 
nance sergeants,  and  proceed  to  King's  Mill  Landing,  (seven 
miles,)  where  steamboats  would  be  ready  for  their  conveyance. 
As  no  fight  was  deemed  possible,  many  "played  possum,"  or 
"  old  soldier,"  and  pretended  to  be  terribly  affected  by  rheuma- 
tism. But  the  steamboats  had  all  gone,  and  to  the  astonishment 
of  our  "sick,"  the  Federal  cavalry  appeared  on  a  neighboring 
hill,  when  all  these  limping,  rheumatically-affected  gentlemen 
threw  away  their  walking-sticks  and  clubs,  and  made  a  rush  to- 
wards Williamsburgh.  While  laughing  and  chatting  round  the 
camp-fire,  near  the  roadside,  a  cavalry  friend  of  mine  rode  up 
spattered  with  mud,  "  Tom,  letter  for  you — can't  stop — warm 
work  to-morrow ! "  and  galloped  off  through  the  mud  at  a  fear- 
ful rate. 

Our  conversation  had  been  prolonged  far  into  the  night,  and 
as  great  activity  was  being  displayed  by  Longstreet,  prudence 
suggested  the  necessity  of  obtaining  some  little  rest.  It  was 
not  thought  that  a  general  engagement  would  ensue  on  the  mor- 
row, but  it  was  imagined  that  the  enemy  would  move  heaven 
and  earth  to  snatch  some  sort  of  victory  from  our  rear-guard,  in 
order  to  magnify  it  abroad.  When  the  stars  paled,  our  men 
were  awakened  and  fell  into  line  without  drums  or  bugles. 
Outposts  tin  the  woods  below  Williamsburgh  were  strengthened, 


-  ADVANCE  OF  THE  EXEMY.  201 

and  ordered  to  fall  back  in  good  order  should  the  enemy  attack 
in  force.  The  foe,  under  Generals  Heintzelman,  Hooker,  and 
Kearny,  were  not  long  in  approaching:  long  lines  of  blue 
coats  were  reported  coming  up  the  roads,  with  strong  bodies  of 
skirmishers  on  the  flanks.  The  "  popping  "  of  pickets  and  out- 
posts soon  changed  into  the  distant  "pattering"  volleys  of  men 
in  line ;  artillery  began  to  roar,  and  the  battle  of  Williamsburgh 
was  fairly  opened. 

Our  ^advance  now  began  to  fall  back  as  directed,  and  were 
endeavoring  to  entice  the  enemy  into  open  ground.  It  seemed 
to  be  the  wish  of  Longstreet  to  have  "  a  fair  fight  and  no  favor." 
For  this  purpose  our  troops  were  drawn  up  in  the  long  open 
"green"  previously  described,  several  breastworks  were  in  the 
rear,  and  heavy  supports  behind  them.  Finding  our  men  rapid- 
ly giving  ground,  .the  enemy  left  the  woods,  where  they  had 
been  fighting  under  cover,  and  boldly  came  forth  on  the  green, 
in  beautiful  order,  to  attack  several  earthworks  in  which  were 

1  ^ 

no  cannon.  They  advanced  with  cheers,  and  waving  banners ; 
but  when  they  had  half  surrounded  those  places,  and  were 
within  seventy  paces,  up  rose  our  men  in  the  works,  and  poured 
volleys  into  their  faces.  They  broke  in  utter  confusion,  sought 
the  woods,  and  were  mown  down  by  grape-shot  from  guns  to 
the  right  and  left.  Similar  experiments  were  tried  by  the  en- 
emy during  the  morning,  but  always  with  disastrous  conse- 
quences. One  redoubt  was  assaile(jL  not  less  than  .three  times 
by  different  brigades,  and  successfully  repulsed  by  a  single  regi- 
ment of  South-Carolinians,  under  Jenkins.  They  actually  en- 
tered one  mud  work  which  had  been  held  by  North-Carolinians, 
but  while  in  momentary  possession  a  regiment  of  Louisianians 
swarmed  over  the  parapets  and  killed  all  within  it.  Cannon- 
ading was  incessant  along  the  line,  which,  as  could  be  observed 
by  the  smoke,  was  beautifully  kept. 

Every  trick  that  could  be  imagined  was  resorted  to  by  Long- 
street  to  entice  Heintzelman  into  open  ground ;  but  that  officer 
remembered  Manassas  and  knew  perfectly  well  the  mettle  of  our 
regiments.  In  vain  brigade  after  brigade  dashed  across  the 
"open,"  jumped  the  fences,  and  attacked  the  foe  in  the  woods, 
and  then  fell  back  to  invite  them  on  ;  but  it  could  not  be  ac- 
complished. About  noon  itf  seemed  as  if  Longstreet  was  desir- 
ous of  retreating — the  enemy  perceived  it  and  ventured  into  the 


202  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF   THE   SOUTH. 

open  ground.  As  quick  as  thought  they  were  attacked  with 
great  fury,  and  our  defence  was  changed  into  an  attack !  Artil- 
lery seemed  to  have  acquired  new  life;  galloping  into  the  open, 
they  unlimbered  and  commenced  a  fearful  duel  at  short  range! 
Gun  after  gun  was  abandoned  by  the  enemy,  while  artillerymen 
unemployed  would  dash  with  spare  horses  under  fire,  and  se- 
cure the  trophies.  Infantry  in  all  directions  were  shouting  and 
entering  the  woods  in  front,  and  every  one  seemed  to  wear  a 
pleased  and  laughing  countenance.  "If  they  won't  advance  to 
Eichmond,  we'll  make  them  advance  to  Yorktown,"  was  the 
common  expression. 

From  the  line  of  fire  it  would  seem  that  Heintzelman  was  in- 
clined to  return,  for  our  musketry  and  artillery  were  advanced 
a  mile  in  the  woods.  But  rain  had  fallen  the  previous  night 
and  rendered  our  progress  irksome  and  slow-,  for  the  roads  were 
of  light  sand,  or  deep  tenacious  mud.  "Wherever  we  moved  the 
woods  were  strewn  with  dead  Bodies,  and  arms  plentiful.  Those 
of  our  men  who  possessed  only  old  muskets  or  inferior  weapons 
exchanged  them  for  better  while  advancing,  so  that  the  enemy 
had  not  thrown  them  away  many  minutes  ere  they  were  being 
handled  by  superior  artists,  and  with  deadly  effect.  The  wound- 
ed, if  at  all  able,  would  invariably  pick  up  a  good  rifle  on  their 
way  to  the  rear ;  so  that  spare  ordnance  wagons  were  continu- 
ally moving  off  with  valuable  spoil. 

After  driving  the  enemy  about  a  mile  through  the  timber. 
and  with  considerable  slaughter,  Longstreet  halted  his  vete- 
ran division,  and  re-formed.  He  then  endeavored  to  entice 
Heintzelman  into  an  advance,  but,  failing  in  this,  he  "  let. 
loose "  his  men  once  again,  and  the  Federals  were  driven 
still  farther  back  at  all  points.  The  enemy  were  approach- 
ing their  supports,  while  we  were  leaving  ours  behind  us. 
This  would  not  answer ;  so  that  having  conquered  fully  two 
miles  of  ground,  and  driven  the  enemy  from  our  front,  we  be- 
gan to  retire,  carrying  off  whatever  was  likely(to  prove  useful. 
I  myself  counted  six  field-pieces,  and  several  thousand  stand 
of  arms,  and  (though  not  said  in  vanity,  but  for  sake  of  ex- 
ample) among  several  hundred  prisoners  were  five  troopers  of 
the  "  Fifth  United  States  Dragoons,"  whom  I  had  captured 
without  trouble.  At  nightfall  the  field  was  scoured  in  search 
of  arms,  and  many  prisoners  were  taken,  who,  lying  on  their 


CAPTURE   OF  GUNS.  203 

faces  during  close  action,  prete»ded  to  be  dead,  but  willingly 
came  forwaKl  and  seemed  anxious  to  be  paroled,  but  not  ex- 
changed. Having  done  as  much  as  possible  for  our  dead  and 
wounded,  and  thrown  strong  picket  guards  along  our  front, 
our  men  were  allowed  several  hours  for  rest;  and  about  two 
A.M.  next  morning  the  line  of  retreat  was  continued,  and  all 
the  forces  marched  away  as  undisturbed  as  if  the  enemy  were 
a  thousand  miles  distant.  As  we  never  had  any  "  spare " 
transportation  in  the  most  prosperous  times,  (and  of  course 
very  little  in  presence  of  an  enemy  who  could  well  supply 
us,)  many  of  our  wounded  were  left  behind  in  Williamsburgh, 
and  scores  of  dead  left  unburied.  This,  of  course,  was  a 
"  military  necessity."  Longstreet  was  far  in  the  rear  with  his 
corps,  and  had  to  hurry  on  to  the  main  army.  No  enemy  pur- 
sued, however,  and  it  was  not  until  Tuesday  evening,  (May 
sixth,)  sixteen  hours  after  we  had  left,  that  the  enemy  entered 
Williamsburgh  in  force. 

This  affair  was  heralded  by  McClellan  as  a  "complete  vic- 
tory;" and  the  newspapers  quoted  McClellan's  despatch,  in 
large  capitals :  "  The  enemy  are  running !  I  will  drive  them 
to  the  wall !"  Large  editions,  expressly  for  European  circu- 
lation, spoke  of  the  rebellion  as  "nigh  broken  up,"  and  de- 
scribed our  troopS  as  "ragged,  hungry,  footsore,  and  dispir- 
ited— all  they  want  now  is  one  more  twist  of  the  Anaconda's 
coil,"  etc.  I  will  not  deny  that  two  or  three  hundred  Dutch, 
Jews,  and  unnaturalized  foreigners  were  captured  by  the  gne- 
my's  cavalry,  and  that  some  few  of  them,  tired  of  war,  took 
the  oath  of  allegiance,  and  went  North ;  but  this  was  blazoned 
abroad  with  great  exaggeration,  and  the  silly  multitude  of 
Abolitionists  piously  believed  what  newspaper  penny-a-liners 
wrote,  and  thought  the  backbone  of  rebellion  was  broken. 
Facts  are  stubborn  things,  and  truth  stranger  than  fiction ;  but 
if  driving  our  enemy  fully  two  miles  over  the  battle-fieici  by 
an  inferior  force,  capturing  their  cannon,  together  with  thou- 
sands of  arms,  and  hundreds,  of  prisoners,  killing  and  wounding  * 
an  aggregate  of  four  thousand  or  more,  sleeping  on  the  battle- 
field, and  retiring  at  leisure  with  great  booty  —  if  all  these 
things,  by  any  conceivable  logic,  can  be  twisted  into  a  "  Com- 
plete Federal  Victory,"  "  Grand  Smash-up  of  the  Rebels,"  etc., 
as  claimed  by  the  official  despatches  and  newspapers  of  the 


204:  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

North,  I  should  very  much  like  to  see  what  a  Federal  defeat  is 
like.  They  have  lied,  however,  so  often  and  so  unblushingly, 
that  we  can  but  laugh  at  their  overweening  vanity  and  un- 
scrupulous falsehoods  ;  words  are  thrown  away  on  the  subject. 

From  prisoners,  we  ascertained  that  Heintzelman,  Sumner, 
Hooker,  Kearny,  and  other  divisional  commanders,  had  di- 
rected the  Federals,  from  which  it  was  easy  to  infer  that  their 
force  numbered  forty  thousand  strong.  Longstreet  commanded 
on  our  side,  and  I  know  did  not  handle  more  than  twenty- 
five  thousand  men.  The  character  of  the  fighting  at  the  onset 
was  brilliant  and  dashing  on  both  sides,  and  the  enemy  dis- 
played more  spirit  for  a  few  hours  than  I  had  ever  seen  before 
on  battle-fields ;  but  when  they  had  fairly  met  our  men  once 
or  twice,  they  evinced  little  desire  of  marching  into  open 
ground.  The  several  charges  made  by  them  on  our  rifle-pits 
were  well  conceived  and  gallantly  attempted,  but  our  fire  was 
so  steady  and  unerring,  the  rush  of  our  men  so  determined, 
that,  despite  all  their  teaching  and  splendid  appearance,  they 
invariably  broke  before  our  "  ragged  rebels." 

Several  incidents  which  came  -under  my  notice  are  illustrat- 
ive of  events  that  were  happening  along  our  whole  line.  We 
captured  several  of  "  Sickles's  Brigade  "  —  an  organization  of 
New- York  "bullies"  and  "roughs;"  and  the  position  of  which 
corps  was  ascertained  to  be  on  the  edge  of  timber  to  our  front) 
where  they  had  erected  a  barrier  by  piling  branches  against 
the.  fence-rails,-  behind  and  through  which  they  maintained  a 
galling  fire,  but  would  not  advance  into  the  open.  The  Nine- 
teenth Mississippi  were  in  front  of  this  place,  and  learning  that 
the  immortal  Dan  Sickles  and  his  "pets"  were  opposite,  formed 
ranks,  (seven  hundred  strong,)  rushed  across  the  "  green,"  and 
with  deafening  yells  assaulted  the  place,  clambered  over  the 
fence,  delivered  their  fire  at  ten  paces,  and  drove  this  brigade 
several  hundred  yards  before  them  into  the  woods,  capturing 
many  prisoners.  Superior  officers  were  displeased  at  the  af- 
fair—  the  regiment  was  recalled,  and  assumed  its  old  position 
without  a  word.  The  gallant  colonel  of  this  regiment  (Colonel 
Lomax)  was  shot  during  the  day ;  his  negro  servant  recovered 
the  body  in  the  Yankee  lines,  and  carried  it  on  his  back  sev- 
eral miles,  conveyed  it  to  Eichmond  to  the  bereaved  wife,  and 


INCIDENTS.  205 

kept  the  promise  he  had  made  her — namely,  never  to  let  his 
master's  body  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

Though  I  disapprove  of  eulogizing  particular  regiments, 
except  for  special  reasons,  there  are  several  corps  which  iiave 
been  mentioned  in  terms  of  praise  by  the  enemy,  and  if  I  add 
a  few  words  regarding  them,  it  is  but  to  show  the  general  spirit 
of  the  army,  and  what  other  regiments  would  have  done  if 
similarly  circumstanced.  Some  of  the  South-Carolinians,  under 
Colonel  Jenkins,  were  ordered  to  hold  a  redoubt,  in  which,  I 
believe,  no  cannon  were  mounted ;  it  was  a  little  in  advance 
of  the  general  line  and  an  especial  mark  for  the  enemy's  shells. 
The  men  did  not  expose  themselves,  but  lay  close  under  the 
walls,  and  except  that  the  colonel  appeared  on  horseback, 
standing  on  one  of  the  platforms,  no  one  would  have  supposed 
that  it  was  held  by  more  than  a  corporal's  guard.  Guns  from 
a  neighboring  battery  replied  to  the  enemy,  and  for  half  an 
hour  the  Carolinians  seemed  to  be  lost  in  a  little  island,  around 
which  an  angry  ocean  raged  in  vain. 

The  enemy  ceased  their  fire,  and  troops  approaching  to  attack 
the  redoubt,  rushed  across  the  intervening  space,  and  then  sur- 
rounding the  work  in  horse-shoe  form,  approached  still  nearer. 
Those  who  knew  the  character  of  Jenkins  were  well  aware  that 
he  was  but  quietly  awaiting  the  proper  moment.  It  came 
when  the  foe  were  not  more  than  seventy  paces  distant,  when, 
in  a  moment,  up  rose  the  Carolinians  in  the  redoubt,  a  simulta- 
neous report  was  heard,  and  hundreds  of  the  enemy  fell  in  all 
directions.  They  re-formed  rapidly,  and  advanced  a  few  steps 
nearer,  when  another  volley,  heavier  than  the  first,  circled  the 
parapet  with  smoke,  and  the  enemy  fled  in  great  disorder.  A 
cheer  rose  from  the  redoubt,  artillery  opened  with  deafening 
sounds,  and  the  Carolinians,  as  before,  crouched  under  the 
walls.  Three  several  attempts  were  made  to  take  the  work, 
but  each  signally  failed,  the  last  being  most  disastrous,  for 
Jenkins,  seeing  a  fine  opportunity  to  charge,  withdrew  part  of 
his  regiment  behind  the  work,  and  when  the  volley  was  given, 
a  "charge"  was  ordered,  and  the  Yankees  retired  confusedly 
to  the  cover  of  the  woods,  and  made  no  more  efforts  to  take 
the  position.  Had  they  possessed  themselves  of  the  place  it 
could  not  have  served  them,  for  our  guns  in  regular  line  would 
have  massacred  them  in  it. 


206  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

Another  small  redoubt  was  held  by  North-Carolinians ;  the 
enemy  stealthily  approached  and  took  it  by  escalade,  our  men 
Buffering  considerably  in  retiring.  A  Louisiana  regiment  was 
in  the  rear,  and  saw  the  whole  affair.  Without  waiting  for 
orders,  they  rushed  across  the  open  ground,  dashed  headlong 
into  the  redoubt,  and  all  who  escaped  over  the  parapet  were 
shot  down  or  bayoneted  by  two  companies  who  remained  out- 
side for  that  purpose.  In  this,  as  in  all  other  instances  I  have 
witnessed  of  the  Louisianians,  their  recklessness  and  daring 
have  always  astonished  me,  yet,  considering  their  material,  half 
Creole,  half  Irish,  none  need  be  astonished  to  find  them  non- 
pareils, when  fighting  for  their  homes  and  liberty  against  a 
negro-worshipping  mixture  of  Dutch  and  Yankee.  In  this,  as 
in  all  other  fights  witnessed  by 'me,  the  cavalry  had  very  little 
to  do — the  Yankee  horse  were  always  in  the  rear  collecting 
stragglers,  and  forcing  men  to  keep  their  lines.  The  day  before 
had  witnessed  slight  cavalry  skirmishes,  resulting  in  our  favor, 
but  nothing  of  the  kind  had  transpired  on  Monday — it  was 
entirely  an  affair  of  infantry  and  artillery. 

The  artillery,  it  cannot  be  denied,  behaved  nobly,  and,  it 
must  be  confessed,  effectually  "snuffed  out  "the  enemy  more 
than  once  during  the  day.  I  cannot  account  for  the  fact,  yet  in 
all  truth  it  is  fact.  When  no  one  opposes  them,  the  drill  and 
accuracy  of  the  enemy  are  very  fine,  but  I  have  ever  remarked 
that  when  ours  meet  them  at  close  quarters,  they  work  their 
guns  very  rapidly,  but  fire  extremely  wild.  When  Mowry's 
and  Couts's  field  batteries  were  sustaining  a  duello  against 
great  odds,  and  had  disabled  several  of  the  enemy's  pieces, 
fresh  ones  were  ever  at  hand  to  replace  them,  and  keep  up  the 
fire.  Once  during  the  day  Gouts  had  silenced  four  guns,  and 
some  of  the  Richmond  Howitzers,  unemployed,  seeing  him  over- 
worked, volunteered  to  dash  in  under  fire,  and  bring  the  guns 
off.  Unhitching  the  horses  from  their  howitzers,  they  galloped 
into  the  smoke,  and  within  a  few  yards  of  the  foe  brought  off 
four  magnificent  rifled  pieces,  which  they  very  gallantly  pre- 
sented to  the  chivalrous  Couts  upon  the  field,  and  in  view  of 
both  armies.  Obtaining  permission  to  open  fire  on  the  enemy, 
the  howitzers,  under  McCarthy,  drove  their  guns  up  to  with- 
in a  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy,  and  worked  them  with 
such  effect,  that  they  were  driven  from,  their  position  in  the 


ATTEMPT  OF  FRANKLIN.  207 

woods  within  half  an  hour.  The  whole  face  of  the  timber  in 
McCarthy's  front  was  literally  blown  to  pieces,  and  when  we 
subsequently  advanced  in  that  direction,  our  path  was  impeded 
by  dismounted  cannons,  caissons,  numbers  of  dead  horses,  and 
scores  of  infantry. 

The  morning  after  Williamsburgh,  I,  with  others,  was  de- 
tailed to  escort  a  batch  of  prisoners  to  Richmond,  and  in  hurry- 
ing on  I  overtook  troops  marching  to  West-Point,  the  head  of 
the  York  River ;  rumors  being  rife  that  Franklin  and  other 
Federal  generals  were  disembarking  a  large  force  there  to  assail 
us  on  the  flank.  The  main  army,  however,  had  travelled  with 
such  celerity,  that  they  were  beyond  the  line  of  West- Point,  so 
that  the  Texans  in  that  vicinity  actually  constituted  part  of 
our  rear-guard ;  Longstreet,  as  usual,  farther  to  the  rear  with 
his  victorious  and  veteran  force,  being  not  far  distant  in  case  of 
emergency.  The  idea  of  this  flank  movement  did  credit  to  the 
genius  of  McClellan,  but  its  performance  was  a  miserable 
failure.  Franklin's  forces  at  that  point  far  outnumbered  ours, 
for  Hood's  Texan  brigade  was  the  chief  corps  to  oppose  him. 
After  disembarking,  Franklin  lingered  and  loitered  near  his 
transports  and  gunboats,  until  Hood  beat  about  to  find  his 
whereabouts.  Without  proper  knowledge  of  the  topography  of 
the  country,  Franklin  put  his  troops  in  motion,  and  had  not 
progressed  many  miles  ere  he  discovered  Hood  advantageously 
posted  in  line  of  battle,  and  without  giving  time  to  deploy,  the 
Texans  were  upon  him,  decimating  his  ranks  with  unerring 
aim.  The  fight  was  wild  and  confused — Franklin  hurriedly 
fell  back  before  an  inferior  force,  and  did  not  halt  until  under 
the  guns  of  his  flotilla.  Hood  had  punished  him  severely  in  a 
two  hours'  fight,  and  sensibly  fell  back  to  the  main  army  at  his 
leisure.  This  affair  was  claimed  as  "  a  decided  success  )!  by  the 
Federals,  but  facts  speak  for  thernselvea 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Military  Transactions  in  May — Our  Army  continues  to  fall  back  upon  Richmond — 
I  am  despatched  to  the  City  with  Prisoners — |Iospitality  of  the  Virginian  Farm- 
ers— News  received  en  route — Evacuation  of  Norfolk — Destruction  of  the  Merri- 
mac — The  Defences  of  Richmond — Treatment  of  Prisoners — Our  Army  forms 
Line  of  Battle  North  of  the  Chickahominy — Position  of  McClellan — I  receive  a 
Staff  Appointment— Table  Talk,  etc. 

As  before  remarked,  I  was  ordered  to  conduct  a  batch  of  pri- 
soners to  Richmond,  and  to  spare  them  unnecessary  pain  in  run- 
ning the  gauntlet  of  our  army  camped  along  the  roads,  it  was 
deemed  best  to  proceed  by  the  James  River.  At  night  we 
sought  the  shelter  of  the  farm-houses  on  our  route,  and  met 
with  a  truly  hospitable  reception.  Every  thing  that  could  be 
possibly  provided  for  our  comfort  was  lavishly  displayed,  and 
I  was  agreeably  impressed  with  the  neatness  and  comfort  exhi- 
bited in  their  dwellings.  Courtly,  high-toned,  and  refined,  the 
style  of  these  old  Virginians  impressed  me  much  with  what  I 
could  remember  of  the  hale  and  hearty  squires  of  England, 
whom  they  very  much  resembled  in  manner  and  means.  My 
prisoners  seemed  delighted  with  their  treatment,  and  many  pro- 
fessed their  willingness  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  and  re- 
main South,  as  some  of  them  subsequently  did,  and,  entering 
our  ranks,  made  excellent  soldiers.  Throughout  our  progress 
across  this  beautiful  section  of  country,  I  never  heard  an  offen- 
sive word  whispered  regarding  my  charge,  and  although  we 
sometimes  remained  all  night  in  houses  of  those  whose  sons  had 
already  died  in  the  war,  except  a  few  words  of  natural  /com- 
plaint, I  never  heard  or  saw  any  thing  that  would  indicate  the 
existence  of  that  revengeful  feeling  which  the  Northern  papers 
were  continually  asserting  against  us.  My  own  feeling,  now 
the  battle  was  over,  was  to  treat  them  as  I  would  have  wished 
to  be  treated,  had  our  positions  been  reversed,  and,  although 
it  necessitated  an  outlay  I  could  ill  spare,  there  was  nothing  I 


•  THE    "  MERRIMAC  "  DESTROYED.  209 

could  purchase  for  their  comfort  that  I  failed  to  do.  Had  for- 
tune thrown  in  my  way  such  men  as  Seward,  Lincoln,  Blair, 
Sumner,  or  Hale,  I  should  have  been  tempted  to  use  some  of 
the  handcuffs  out  of  the  wagon-loads  which  old  Scott  had  sent 
to  Manassas  for  very  different  individuals.  In  such  a  case  it 
would  have  been  a  good  joke ;  but  in  the  present  instance,  a 
cruel  one. 

When  we  hailed  a  steamboat  above  Berkeley,  I  learned  the 
following  facts.  Huger,  I  was  informed,  had  not  made  a  suc- 
cessful evacuation  of  Norfolk,  and  much  valuable  property  had 
fallen  into  the  enemy's  hands.  This  arose  from  an  act  of 
treachery  on  the  part  of  a  Government  employe.  When  Huger 
received  orders  to  evacuate,  he  immediately  made  every  possi- 
ble arrangement  for  that  purpose.  Immense  stores  were  con- 
veyed away,  and  most  of  the  troops  had  left,  when  the  cap- 
tain of  a  small  steamboat  hitherto  in  our  employ  (a  Northerner 
by  birth)  thought  to  make  capital  by  going  over  to  the  enemy 
a  few  miles  distant  at  Fortress  Monroe.  The  enemy  immedi- 
ately commenced  shelling  our  works  at  Sewell's  Point,  and, 
receiving  no  response,  determined  upon  landing  troops.  Several 
vessels  had  already  escaped  up  J^mes  Eiver,  from  Norfolk,  and 
others  were  sunk ;  but  it  became  a  matter  of  dispute  as  to  what 
should  be  done  with  the  Merrimac,  which,  a  short  time  before, 
had  become  famous  by  sinking  the  Cumberland  and  other  ves- 
sels under  the  guns  of  Fortress  Monroe.  It  was  alleged  that . 
her  draught  of  water  was  too  great  for  James  Eiver ;  pilots  dis- 
puted the  possibility  of  steering  her  safely  over  the  "bars,"  if 
lightened ;  but  while  this  indecision  reigned  in  council,  the 
enemy's  guns  were  heard  at  Sewell's  Point ;  the  Merrimac  was 
.hastily  coaled,  and  slowly  steamed  down  to  frighten  the  enemy 
off.  It  was  thought  that  a  night  engagement  might  ensue,  but 
as  it  was  positively  stated  that  she  would  not  answer  helm,  she 
ended  her  brief  but  glorious  career  by  being  blown  up  shortly 
after  midnight,  and  within  a  mile  of  the  enemy  !*  The  Fede- 

*  It  appears  from  an  authentic  account  of  the  event  that  the  officers  of  the  Vir- 
ginia had  no  orders  for  her  destruction ;  but  after  the  evacuation  of  Norfolk  thej 
held  a  council  on  board,  and  determined  to  carry  her  into  James  River,  if  possible, 
which  could  be,  done,  the  pilot  said,  on  eighteen  feet  draught.  The  ship  was  then 
drawing  twenty-two  feet,  but  all  hands  were  set  to  work  lightening  her  by  throwing 
overboard  coal,  ballast,  etc.  By  midnight  she  was  lightened  to  eighteen  feet ;  but 
14 


210  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

rals  were  so  quick  in  their  movements  that  our  "  burning  par- 
ties ''  had  scarcely  made  their  escape  from  the  various  ship-yards 
ere  Norfolk  was  again  in  the  hands  of  the  Yankees.  Huger 
conducted  his  retreat  with  great  order,  and  was  far  out  of 
harm's  way. 

In  our  progress  up  the  James  we  hailed  and  conversed  with 
the  Patrick  Henry  and  other  war  vessels,  which  were  steaming 
about  City  Point,  (fifteen  miles  from  Richmond,)  in  anticipation 
of  the  enemy's  approach,  and  assisted  a  gunboat  in  towing  up 
the  iron-clad  Virginia  No.  2,  which  required  completion.  This 
was  the  first  time  I  had  seen  any  specimen  of  our  infant  navy, 
and  must  confess  the  splendid  appearance,  quickness,  cleanli- 
ness, neatness,  and  obedience  of  the  seamen  were  in  favorable 
contrast  with"  the  sleepy,  lackadaisical  dandyism  of  the  offi- 
cers— many  of  whom  were  mere  lads.  .That  they  all  had 
"pluck"  and  "dash"  in  superabundance,  their  quick  eye  and 

it  was  then  found  that  her  wooden  hull,  below  the  plating,  was  exposed,  and  that 
the  westerly  wind  prevailing  had  so  lowered  the  water  in  James  River,  that  with 
eighteen  feet  draught  she  could  not  be  taken  up  far  beyond  Newport  News.  Thus 
daylight  would  find  her  under  the  guns  of  the  iron-clads  Galena  and  Monitor,  which 
could  easily  capture  or  destroy  her  by  firing  into  her  below  the  arm»r.  Another 
council  was  held,  and  it  was  resolved  to  destroy  the*  great  ship.  Her  decks  and 
roof  were  saturated  with  oil,  her  crew  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  men  were  disem- 
barked in  small  boats,  trains  of  powder  were  laid  from  each  port-hole  to  different 
parts  of  the  vessel,  and  these  were  lighted  at  a  given  signal.  Simultaneously  the 
ship  was  on  fire  in  many  parts,  and  after  burning  several  hours  the  flames  reached 
the  magazine  about  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  the  Virginia  was  blown  up 
with  an  explosion  heard  thirty-two  miles  distant. 

In  a  despatch  sent  to  the  New-  York  Times,  from  Fortress  Monroe,  under  date  of 
the  fourteenth,  we  read : 

"  At  four  o'clock  this  morning  a  bright  light  was  observed  from  Fortress  Monroe 
in  the  direction  of  Craney  Island.  Precisely  at  half-past  four  o'clock  an  explosion 
took  place  which  made  the  earth  and  water  tremble  for  miles  around.  In  the 
midst  of  the  bright  flame  which  shot  up  in  the  distance,  the  timbers  and  iron  of  a 
steamer  could  be  seen  flying  through  the  air.  No  doubt  was  entertained  that  the 
Mcrrimac  had  ceased  to  exist 

"  From  men  found  on  the  island  we  ascertained  that  the  Merrimac  lay  buried  on 
Saturday  at  a  point  nearly  a  mile  from  the  head  of  the  island.  During  the  night 
she  had  been  brought  back  and  brought  ashore.  Her  entire  officers  and  crew  were 
landed  on  the  island,  and  a  slow  match  was  then  applied  to  her  magazine.  She  wag 
torn  to  fragments  by  the  time  her  crew  got  out  of  reach  of  her.  Negroes  state  that 
the  officers  and  crew  of  the  Merrimac  passed  through  the  adjoining  county  on  the 
mainland  about  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  to  the  number  of  two  hundred.  They 
said  they  were  on  their  way  to  Suffolk  on  the  line  of  the  river  leading  from 
Craney  Island  to  Norfolk." 


GENERAL  MAGRUDER.  211 

recent  services  well  betokened ;  but  there  was  a  "  something  " 
in  their  affectation,  their  manner  of  walking,  and  their  use  of 
the  telescope  which  impressed  me  with  a  strong  idea  that  the 
greater  part  were  "  novices,"  and  owed  their  gold  bands  and 
white  gloves  more  to  political  and  family  influence  than  "serv- 
ice" or  sound  qualification.  The  men  were  truly  magnifi- 
cent specimens  of  bone  and  muscle — mostly  foreign-born,  from 
the  merchant  navy ;  and,  dressed  as  they  all  were  in  the  neat 
blue  uniforms  captured  at  Norfolk,  reminded  me  much  of  what 
I  had  seen  in  the  British  navy  in  American  waters — bronzed 
and  rosy  fellows,  active  as  cats,  and  fit  'to  fight  a  frigate  at  any 
odds. 

While  at  City  Point  I  was  informed  that  General  Magruder 
was  alarmingly  unwell  at  one  of  the  many  beautiful  residences 
near  this  point ;  but  it  was  whispered  confidentially :  "  Oh !  he's* 
not  very  sick !  he's  beefa  on  a  spree  because  Johnston  would 
not  fight  at  Yorktown !  It  is  only  the  effect  of  too  much  Bour- 
bon and  chagrin !"  This  was  probably  the  truth.  This  accom- 
plished but  "  nervous  "  officer  very  much  desired  to  fight  and 
immortalize  his  name  at  Yorktown,  behind  the  lines  he  had  so 
scientifically  planned  and  perfected  in  secrecy;  but  Lee  and 
Johnston  could  penetrate  more  deeply  into  the  enemy's  plans 
there  than  the  fighting  engineer  deemed  worthy  of  considera- 
tion ;  and  to  engage  a  superior  force,  with  our  flanks  unpro- 
tected and  assailable  at  any  hour  by  powerful  and  resistless 
fleets,  would  have  been  an  act  of  madness.  As  it  was,  we  could 
not  retreat  without  a  severe  fight,  and  had  reason  to  consider 
ourselves  extremely  fortunate  in  escaping  as  we  did.  The  true 
line  of  defence,  as  foreseen  by  the  astute  Lee  a  year  before,  was 
nearer  Eichmond ;  and  it  had  been  magnificently  mapped  and 
fortified  by  that  officer,  without  noise  or  puff,  even  when  the 
majority  of  the  unthinking  were  loth  to  consider  him  any  thing 
more  than  a  quiet,  inoffensive  officer,  possessing  more  of  religion 
than  strategy.  For  my  own  part,  though  smiled  at  by  the 
would-be  wiseheads,  I  heartily  rejoiced  to  hear  of  Lee's  appoint- 
ment as  Commander-in-Chief ;  nor  were  my  opinions  of  him 
hastily  formed,  or  doomed  to  disappointment,  as  results  will 
amply  prove. 

In  approaching  Kichmond,  my  eye  was  actively  engaged  in 


212  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

scanning  the  landscape  and  river-banks  for  batteries  to  resist 
the  coming  enemy,  but  none  were  visible,  nor.  indeed  were  any 
in  progress.  A  few  earthworks  below  City  Point  had  been  suc- 
cessively abandoned,  and  those  which  had  the  hardihood  to 
oppose  the  Federal  gunboats  were  destroyed  by  the  first  broad- 
side. 'Nearer  the  city,  I  observed  an  immense  raft  concealed 
under  the  banks  -and  trees,  which  was  said  to  be  amply  suffi- 
cient to  blockade  the  river.  It  was  not  closed,  but  could  be 
within  an  hour's  notice.  We  had  passed  several  bluffs;  which, 
if  properly  fortified,  could  effectually  stop  the  enemy  in  the 
narrow  windings  of  the  river,  but  as  yet  no  works  were  erected, 
and  no  cannon  mounted.  This  I  considered  gross  negligence 
or  incapacity  in  Secretary  Mallory,  who  had  charge  of  naval 
affairs.  Some  charged  the  Administration  with  imbecility; 
•others  shook  their  heads,  as  if  the  final  hour  were  rapidly  ap- 
proaching; while  a  few,  I  thought,  betrayed  more  pleasure 
than  pain  in  the  anxiety  and  the  feverish  excitement  of  the 
majority. 

Of  President  Davis  I  knew  something,  but  nothing  in  his 
character  was  like  the  picture  angrily  drawn  of  him  by  the  un- 
thinking. He  could  not  attend  to  every  thing ;  after  appoint- 
ments were  made,  the  most  he  could  do  was  to  suggest  on  mat- 
ters pertaining  to  the  duties  or  requirements  of  those  in  the 
various  chairs  of  office.  It  would  not  only  be  presumption,  but 
gross  ignorance,  to  suppose  that  Tie  did  this,  or  ordered  that. 
His  own  duties  were  more  than  any  dozen  men,  except  him- 
self, could  have  pretended  to  perform ;  still,  although  laboring 
night  and  day,  planning,  counselling,  providing,  receiving  vis- 
itors, writing,  speaking,  he  was  blamed  for  every  thing  that 
went  amiss.  He  bore  it  all,  however,  without  murmuring. 
The  press  might  abuse  him,  office-seekers  annoy  him,  petty 
councillors  bore  him,  mistakes  and  bickerings  of  his  Cabinet 
vex  him  ;  State,  political,  social,  or  religious  deputations  pester 
him  with  demands,  petitions,  and  a  thousand  other  daily  annoy- 
ances; yet  the  poor,  pale,  hard-working  President  bore  it  all 
with  philosophic  equanimity.  Putting  on  his  blue  flannel 
overcoat,  he  would  mount  his  chestnut  mare,  smoke  a  cigar,  and 
take  a  quiet  ride,  unattended,  through  the  streets  in  the  after- 
noon, as  calmly  and  unostentatiously  as  if  he  were  merely  Mr 
J.  Davis,  proprietor  of  a  two-hundred-acre  farm,  with  a  round 


PRISONERS  AT  RICHMOND.  213 

dozen  of  bouncing  babies.  Heigho!  who  would  envy  the 
poor  President  ?  If  a  negro  were  worked  a  twentieth  as  much, 
his  master  would  be  imprisoned  or  fined  for  inhuman  treat- 
ment! 

After  delivering  my  prisoners  at  Libby's  Tobacco  Ware- 
house— the  chief  of  many  such  establishments  in  the  city — I 
endeavored  to  obtain  accommodation  at  the  "  Spottswood  "  and 
other  hotels,  but  found  it  an  impossibility,  every  house  being 
crowded  to  excess.  I  must  confess,  too,  my  personal  appear- 
ance wag  any  thing  but  prepossessing,  and  when  I  pushed  my 
way  through  a  crowd  of  dandily  attired  officers  and  civilians,  I 
was  gazed  upon  as  something  of  a  phenomenon  ;  for  my  part  I 
looked  upon  them  with  contempt,  for  although  dressed  in  all 
the  colors  of  the  different  arras  of  the  service,  from  Generals 
down  to  Captains,  their  unblemished  linen  and  gold  braid  told 
me  plainly  they  were  for  the  most  part  impostors,  boring  the 
various  departments  for  commissions,  or  for  some  kind  of  em- 
ployment, and  disporting  their  figures  on  the  sunny  side  of 
Capitol  Square.  In  vain  I  offered  any  price  for  a  bed,  and 
even  proposed  giving  five  dollars  for  the  privilege  of  sleeping 
on  the  floor  of  the  reception-room.  All  that  I  have  said  of 
Richmond  in  a  previous  chapter — of  the  fabulous  prices  obtain- 
ed for  necessaries,  the  scenes  of  perpetual  gaiety,  the  uninter- 
rupted waste  of  money,  and  the  imposition  everywhere  prac- 
tised— might  be  here  repeated ;  but  enough.  The  one  redeeming 
feature  of  the  city  may,  however,  be  mentioned.  I  never  saw 
the  least  symptoms  of  intoxication  in  the  streets,  owing  to  the 
discipline  of  martial  law,  and  the  almost  impossibility  of  obtain- 
ing liquors. 

The  prisoners,  as  I  have  said,  were  confined  in  tobacco-ware- 
houses fitted  up  for  their  use,  near  the  river,  which  served  \  ad- 
mirably for  temporary  prisons.  Being  very  large,  four  stories 
high,  and  of  great  capacity,  they  were  capable  of  accommodating 
several  hundreds  of  men  each,  and  being  well  guarded,  it  was 
almost  impossible  for  a  prisoner  to  effect  his  escape.  The  food 
allotted  to  those  in  durance  was  that  usually  allowed  to  soldiers, 
but  in  greater  quantity  and  variety  than  ever  fell  to  our  lot  in 
camp.  Every  convenience  was  allowed  them,  and,  except 
room  for  out-of-door  exercise,  I  saw  nothing  in  the  arrange- 
ments that  merited  the  denunciations  of  the  Northern  press 


214  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE   SOUTH. 

about  our  barbarous  treatment  of  prisoners  in  our  terrible 
tobacco-warehouses.  Considering  all  things,  they  seemed  to 
enjoy  themselves  very  much;  they  were  permitted  every  fa- 
,  cility  for  purchasing  things  not  allowed  by  our  regulations 
for  diet ;  ministers  and  others  frequently  visited  them  — 
particularly  Catholic  priests — and  books,  clothing,  and  money 
were  often  bestowed  upon  them.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
men,  generally  speaking,  behaved  themselves  as  became 
their  situation ;  though  occasionally  some  ill-bred  fellow, 
among  them  would  excite,  to  sedition,  and  the  culprit  be- 
ing discovered,  he  was  removed,  and  punished.  Several,  I 
know,  were  shot  for  attempting  to  escape  ;  and  on  one  or  two 
occasions  men  particularly  vulgar  to  ladies  in  passing,  after 
having  been  duly  warned,  and  on  a  repetition  of  the  offence, 
were  shot  at  and  wounded  by  the  guards.  Hundreds  were  sent 
south,  in  various  directions,  to  make  room  for  fresh  arrivals, 
and  from  the  preparations  of  Government  for  additional  prisons 
and  hospitals,  it  became  very  evident  that  stirring  events  were 
expected  at  no  distant  day. 

Hospitals  were  numerous,  the  chief  being  Chimborazo  on  the 
east,  and  Camp  Winder  west  of  the  city,  each  capable  of  ac- 
commodating several  thousands.  Their  situation  was  the  best 
to  be  had,  and  Government  had  done  all  in  its  power  to  render 
them  comfortable  and  commodious.  They  looked  like  large 
forts  at  a  distance,  with  their  whitened  walls  and  banners  ;  but 
on  close  inspection  proved  to  be  long  rows  of  wooden  buildings, 
marked  off  into  divisions,  streets,  and  wards :  on  inspection  I 
found  an  abundance  of  all  things  provided  that  the  medical 
department  could  possibly  furnish ;  though  some  kinds  of  medi- 
cines were  very  scarce,  particularly  quinine,  of  which  very 
little  could  be  obtained,  even  at  twenty  dollars  per  ounce.  The 
doctors,  however,  appeared  to  me  to  be  very  indifferent,  and 
lacking  of  much  kindness  and  capacity  ;  they  were  seldom  in 
their  offices,  often  promenading  with  ladies,  and  were  great 
consumers  of  whatever  wines  and  liquors  Government  intended 
for  the  sick.  This  may  account  for  the  pressure  of  business 
among  coffin-contractors  and  grave-diggers,  and  for  the  stream 
of  hearses  continually  running  to  and  from  the  cemeteries. 
I  saw  but  few  clergymen  in  the  hospitals,  but  was  deeply 
impressed  with  the  piety,  self-devotion,  and  unceasing  atten- 
tions of  those  good  angels  called  "Sisters  of  Charity,"  who 


ADVANCE  OF  McCLELLAX.  215 

were  ever  in  motion,  night  and  day,  in  ministering  to  the  sick. 
They  had  an  especial  hospital  of  their  own  on  the  Brooke  turn- 
pike road,  called  "  St.  Joseph's ;"  and  it  was  a  perfect  paradise 
of  cleanliness  and  comfort 

From  information  I  could  gather  round  the  War  Office,  it 
appears  t]^at  Johnston  had  remained  in  line  of  battle  more 
than  a  week  several  miles  north  of  the  Chickahominy,  in  the 
vain  hope  that  McClellan  would  attack.  The  Federals,  how- 
ever, remained  at  a  respectful  distance,  and  seemed  as  disin- 
clined for  combat  in  open  ground,  with  a  river  in  our  rear,  as 
they  were  when  we  invited  them  in  March,  with  the  Eapidan 
in  our  front.  Slowly  advancing  towards  Richmond,  McClellan 
took  up  the  pursuit,  and  sharp  skirmishing  occurred  as  we 
crossed  the  Chickahominy  at  Mechanicsville  bridge,  five  miles 
from  Richmond.  It  surprised  me  much  to  hear  that  our  whole 
army  was  so  near  the  city,  and  it  surprised  me  still  more  to 
learn  that  I  was  transferred  from  my  regiment  to  an  officer's 
position  on  the  staff.  My  future  duties  would  be  light,  pay 
increased,  forage  allowed,  with  daily  opportunities  of  passing 
and  repassing  to  town.  I  felt  ashamed  to  leave  my  old  regi- 
ment, with  which  I  had  served  so  long,  for  I  thought  it 
looked  unpatriotic  to  leave  the  gallant  foot  to  go  prancing  at 
the  heels  of  a  chief  of  artillery.  My  company  did  not  object. 
I  could  benefit  them  considerably  in  many  ways,  and,  promis- 
ing to  be  with  them  in  the  hour  of  battle,  I  mounted  my  un- 
ruly mare,  drew  all  arrears  from  the  paymaster,  and  invited 
several  of  my  old  superior  officers  to  a  supper  in  town,  in 
order  to  finish  my  career  in  the  infantry  with  due  honor  and 
solemnity. 

We  were  in  high  spirits  during  our  little  supper,  and  much 
was  said  regarding  the  merits  and  qualifications  of  various 
generals  and  heads  of  departments,  which  would  have  startled 
the  gentlemen  mentioned  could  they  have  heard  it.  But  when 
were  soldiers  in  want  of  topics  for  conversation?  Captain 
Smithers  and  Major  Jones,  at  one  end  of  the  table,  were  pro- 
fessionally discussing  the  results  of  the  war,  and  were  very 
declamatory  in  style ;  Lieutenant  Jenkins  was  narrating  some 
romantic  adventure  among  the  pretty  Quakeresses  of  London 
County,  and  had  two  listeners ;  Lieutenant-Colonel  Dobbs  was 
explaining  "formations"  and  "changes  of  front"  to  Captain 


216  BATTLE- FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

Johnstone,  who,  Scotchman-like,  was  disputing  the  authority 
of  Dobbs's  version  of  "•  Hardee ;"  while  Lieutenant  Moore 
entertained  Half  a  dozen  roun,d  the  fire  with  his  reminiscences 
of  the  Emerald  Isle. 

Said  Major  Jones,  emptying  his  glass:  "Smithers,  I  en- 
tirely disagree  with  you.  The  campaign  wasn't  w^rth  a  cent 
till  Lee  took  the  helm,  and  I  believe  that  Davis  himself  en- 
deavored to  map  out  operations  before  that.  See  what  mis- 
erable failures  Eoanoke  and  Donelson  were.  Who  was  com- 
mander-in  chief  before  Lee  ?  Nobody  that  I  know ;  and  the 
fact  of  sending  men  to  be  cooped  up,  surrounded,  and  de- 
stroyed on  that  island,  speaks  volumes  for  the  stupidity  and 
incapacity  of  somebody.  I'  don't  mean  to  say  that  a  stouter 
resistance  might  not  have  been  made  by  a  better  general  than 
Wise.  Wise  has  proved  himself  a  first-rate  orator,  writer,  and 
politician  —  is  greatly  beloved  in  Virginia  —  but  all  these 
things  go  to  show  that  it  requires  something  more  than  pop- 
ularity to  make  a  general.  Fort  Donelson,  also,  was  left  to 
be  erected  fcy  the  State  of  ^Tennessee,  and  see  what  a  miserable 
waste  of  money  it  was.  Fort  Henry  was  evacuated  even  by 
the  Federals  on  account  of  the  flow  of  water  into  it ;  and  al- 
thoughfDonelson  was  something  better,  far  more  eligible  sites 
could  have  been  selected,  and  the  Government  grant  of  half 
a  million  put  to  a  better  use.  Look  at  New-Orleans,  also ! 
Lovell,  a  man  without  reputation,  was  left  in  supreme  com 
mand  or  that  all-important  place ;  the  batteries  below  it  were 
insufficient  against  iron-clads ;  the  construction  of  new  gun- 
boats was  given  to  Northerners  resident  there,  and  although 
their  inactivity  and  incapacity  were  known  to  the  authorities, 
they  were  allowed  to  shilly-shally  until  the  enemy  came,  and 
passed  by  the  forts  unscratched  —  our  ships  were  burned, 
Lovell  evacuated  the  city,  and  it  fell.  Don't  tell  me,  Smith- 
ers; every  one  knows  there  has  been  gross  mismanagement 
in  several  cases ;  until  Lee  came  in  there  was  no  visible 
head  at  work,  and  those  that  were  at  work,  the  fathers  of 
these  blunders,  had  better  keep  themselves  invisible  still!" 

"Don't  say  any  thing  more,  Major,"  said  Johnstone,  with 
a  strong  accent;  "I  have  a  great  respect  for  'Hardee,'  for 
he  is  a  good  kind  of  Scotchman,  from  Glasgow,  as  my  friend 
M'Gregor  informs  me,  but  there  is  no  doubt  about  it  that 


TABLE-TALK.  217 

Beauregard  was  badly  whipped  at  Manassas  by  that  old 
Stirling  man,  McDowell.  I  knew  some  of  the  McDowells 
in  Scotland,  and  good  people  they  were.  Beauregard.  is  a 
good  officer,  and  all  he  wants  is  a  little  Scotch  blood  in  him 
to  make  a  first-rate  strategist.  But  we  all  know  that  had  old 
Mac  followed  us  up  vigorously  after  passing  Sudley  Ford,  we 
should  never  have  been  here  now,  I'm  thinking,  drinking 
bad  whisky,  at  four  o'clock  o'  the  morning.  Why,  man,  our 
right  wing  was  never  engaged  at  all.  Longstreet,  Jones,  and 
Swell  hardly  fired  a  shot  all  day ;  and  there  was  the  left 
overlapped  by  the  Yankees  at  three  in  the  afternoon,  and 
when  we  did  drive  them  back,  and  got  them  into  a  panic, 
Beauregard  hadn't  more  than  two  regiments  at  their  heels. 
Old  Evans,  at  Leesburgh,  did  the  thing  handsomely ;  he 
killed  more  than  the  number  of  his  own  men  actually  en- 
gaged ;  made  prisoners  of  twice  as  many,  and  drowned  the 
rest.  I  hear  he  came  from^Fife  before  entering  the  Northern 
army.  Yes,  dear  old  Scotland  has  given  a  good  many  men 
in  this  war — there's  McClellan  from  Argyle,  and  Scott  from 
Dumfries,  and " 

Johnstone  might  have  gone  on  claiming  Southern  celebri- 
ties for  natives  of  Scotia,  but  Moore,  becoming  indignant, 
swore  roundly  that  Beauregard  was  from  Limerick,  and  Lee 
from  Cork,  so  that  those  of  us  who  had  not  gone  beyond  a 
dozen  glasses,  were  obliged  to  take  care  of  those  who  had, 
and  to  conduct  them  to  chambers,  where  they  might  dream 
over  the  question  of  Homer  and  Garibaldi  being  Irish  or 
Scotch,  without  fear  of  using  empty  bottles  for  weapons. 

Having  seen  some,  who  required  it,  comfortably  provided 
for  the  night,  Dobbs  and  myself  retired  to  the  same  room ; 
while  smoking,  the  conversation  turned  on  Jackson,  whose 
movements  in  the  Valley  began  to  excite  interest  about  this 
time.  The  Major  had  seen  him  at  Manassas,  and  spoke  of 
him  dispassionately.  He  had  not  achieved  much  greatness 
in  that  conflict,  but  received  a  name  there  which  will  be  as 
imperishable  as  history.  , 

"  I  received  letters  a  few  days  ago  from  Ashton,"  said  my 
friend,  "  who  is  now  with  Jackson  in  the  Valley ;  yon  knew 
Ashton  very  well.  Amuse  yourself  while  I  take  a  nap,  for 
'tis  nearly  dawn,  and  I  must  be  out  in  camp  early." 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Preparations  for  the  Defence  of  Richmond  in  May — Operation  of  the  Conscript 
Law — Earthworks  and  other  Defences  designed  by  Lee — Arrival  of  Federal 
Boats  and  Iron-clads — Works  at  Drury's  Bluff — Immense  Raft— rCapture  of  Rich- 
mond anticipated— -Position  of  the  two  Armies  on  the  Chickahominy — Number 
of  Troops  on  either  side — McClellan  Advances. 

AT  this  period  the  Conscript  law  came  into  operation,  and 
there  was  much  grumbling  among  such  as  fell  under  its  pro- 
visions. Those  who  had  been  in  the  army  at  all,  for  however 
short  a  period,  were  not  .averse  to  remaining  in  the  ranks;  for 
they  knew  absolute  necessity  alone  had  compelled  Congress  to 
pass  such  a  law,  and  if  liberty  was  to  be  gained,  it  must  be  by 
great  sacrifices  of  individual  convenience  and  pleasure.  Lin- 
coln had  called  out  seventy-five  thousand  men  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  war,  and  having  received  every  additional  man 
the  States  offered,  he  had  now  an  army  of  not  less  than  seven 
hundred  thousand  in  the  field.  There  was  little  opposition 
made  in  our  several  States  to  the  call  of  the  President ;  some 
thought,  indeed,  the  act  was  an  imconstitutional  one ;  yet  the 
men  were  rapidly  supplied,  and  discussion  deferred  until  times 
of  peace.  Accordingly,  when  Johnston  had  fallen  back  to  his 
line  of  defence  around  Eichmond,  we  found  many  new  regi- 
ments awaiting  to  join  us. 

The  exactions  of  this  law,  however,  were  very  oppressive  to 
many,  and  seemingly  despotic ;  hundreds  who  had  volunteered 
for  and  served  one  year,  had  not  been  resident  in  the  South 
more  than  a  few  months  when  the  war  broke  out;  so  that  to 
put  such  men  on  an  equality  with  those  born  on  the  soil  who 
had  not  served  at  all,  seemed  like  the  shadow  of  absolutism. 
There  was  much  murmuring,  therefore ;  and  many,  rather  than 
serve  for  an  indefinite  period  as  the  price  of  citizenship,  aban- 
doned the  cause,  and  sought  protection  from  the  consuls  of 
their  several  countries. 


THE  FEDERAL  IRON-CLADS.  219 

The  character  of  the  conscripts,  who  entered  willingly  on 
the  service,  was  excellent,  and  they  bore  the  jokes  of  the  vol- 
unteers with  a  good  grace.  Physically,  they  were  the  flower 
of  the  nation,  tall,  well-made,  sinewy  fellows,  who  considered 
their  knapsacks  no  greater  weight  than  a  pair  of  gloves.  "We 
all  expected  them  to  behave  well  in  action,  nor  were  we  disap- 
pointed. Their  shooting  was  splendid.  Many  of  them  would 
have  entered  the  army  before,  but  had  been  in  regiments  which 
were  refused  service  at  the  beginning  of  the  war ;  some  did  not 
know  how  much  they  were  needed ;  and  others  again,  though 
brave  and  ripe  enough  for  a  fight  at  any  time,  had  formed  such 
disagreeable  notions  of  camp  life  from  letters  and  journals,  that 
they  felt  a  decided  repugnance  to  entering  the  ranks  until  com- 
pelled. Taken  altogether,  the  morale  of  our  troops,  though 
always  good,  at  this  period  was  excellent,  '^s  they  took  up 
the  lines  assigned  them,  naught  but  good  humor  and  hilarity 
was  visible,  for  they  well  knew  that  Johnston  could  not  fall 
back  farther,  and  that  the  conflict  must  soon  come.  This  they 
desired,  and  were  aching  to  pay  back  with  interest  the  taunts 
and  insults  of  the  over-fed  and  bombastic  Yankees  of  the  York- 
town  lines. 

A  part  of  Huger's  division  from  Norfolk  had  arrived  through 
Petersburgh  and  the  south  side  of  the  James ;  rapid  progress 
was  made  with  defensive  works  and  obstructions  to  prevent 
gunboats  ascending  the  river ;  earthworks  of  magnitude  arose 
on  every  side  around  Eichmond ;  and  the  "speedy  appearance  of 
Yankee  encampments  north  of  the  Chickahominy  gave  elo- 
quent indications  that  things  were  coming  to  a  crisis.  The 
earthworks  had  been  designed  by  Lee  more  than  ten  months 
ere  our  army  reached  their  position.  They  were  constructed 
in  different  shapes,  to  suit  the  conformation  of  the  ground ;  they 
swept  all  the  roads,  crowned  every  hillock,  and  mounds  of  red 
earth  could  be  seen  in  striking  contrast  with  the  rich  green  as- 
pect of  the  landscape.  Redoubts,  rifle-pits,  casemate  batteries, 
horn  works,  and  enfilading  batteries  were  visible  in  great  num- 
ber, in  and  out  of  the  woods,  in  all  directions;  some  were 
mounted  with  heavy  siege  pieces,  of  various  calibre,  but  the 
majority  were  intended  for  field  guns.  Heavy  ordnance  was 
scarce,  and  home-made  cannon  often  proved  worthless  and 


220  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE  SOUTH. 

brittle,  in  many  instances  killing  those  who  put  them  to  the 
"proof." 

It  was  reported  that  the  enemy's  gunboats  and  iron-clads  were 
approaching  up  the  river,  and  had  contemptuously  "snuffed 
out "  several  mud  batteries  that  had  the  temerity  to  fire.     The 
Monitor,  Galena,  and  other  iron-clads,  were  actually  at  City 
Point,  fifteen  miles  from  Richmond,  and  feverish  excitement 
possessed  all,  save  the  calm,  cold,  smiling  gentlemen  of  the  War 
Office.     Many  large  boxes  from  the  various  departments  stood 
on   the   sidewalks   ominously  labelled  "Lynchburgh,"  and  I 
could  not  help  smiling  to  see  how  the  features  of  bystanders 
lengthened  while  gazing  upon  them.     "Well,"  said  they,  "I 
suppose  Johnston  is  going  to  give  up  Richmond  like  every 
thing  else,  and  will  continue  to  'fall  back'  until  we  are  all 
swimming  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico."     There  was  not  the  slightest 
trepidation  observable  in  the  Governm^it  offices;  all  things 
went  on  as  usual,  and  President  Davis  took  his  evening  ride 
as  placidly  as  ever.     It  was  seen,  however,  that  the  enemy 
could  never  come  up  the  river  to  Richmond,  for  heavy  works 
had  been  hastily  erected  and  mounted  at  Drury's  Bluff.     The 
immense  raft  was  considered  impregnable ;  the  crew  of  the  late 
Merrimac  manned  several  large  rifled  pieces,  the  banks  and 
woods   swarmed  with  sharpshooters,  while  several  excellent 
rifled  field  batteries  were  ready,  with  the  supports,  to  the  rear. 
At  length,  when  the  enemy's  gunboats  came  within  easy 
range,  the  sailors  at  the  land  batteries  on  the  south  side,  and 
the  guns  of  the  Washington  Artillery  corps  on  the  north  bank, 
poured  such  a  stream  of  shot  and  shell  into  them  as  to  present 
an  unbrok'en  sheet  of  flame  from  the  woods.     At  the  same  time 
care  was  taken  that  our  firing  should  be  accurate.     No  sooner 
had  the  gunboats  opened  the  shutters  of  their  ports,  than  every 
gun  was  directed  at  the  vulnerable  point,  and  a  shower  of  small 
shot  poured  in,  so  that  the  gunboats  were  soon  rendered  useless, 
and  "backed  out"  to  greater  range.*    Dozens  of  our  shell,  we 
could  perceive,  exploded  among  their  gunners  below  deck,  and 

*  A  late  Northern  paper  says:  "The  armor  of  the  Galena,  which  was  pierced 
by  the  projectiles  of  the  rebel  batteries  below  Richmond,  was  three  inches  thick. 
The  Monitor,  has  thus  far  stood  the  fire  with  her  five-inch  plates,  but  as  guns  of 
enormous  calibre  and  projectjles  of  great  momentum  are  in  vogue,  it  is  safe  to  in- 
crease the  thickness  of  the  armor. 


FEELING  AT  RICHMOND.  221 

such  was  the  destruction  that  none  of  the  crews  ventured  to  ap- 
pear above  board.  Their  firing,  however,  was  hotly  maintain- 
ed, but,  as  our  position  was  on  a  bluff,  their  shell  'passed  over- 
head, and  did  but  trifling  damage.  This  lasted  for  several 
hours,  when  the  discomfiture  of  the  foe  was  so  complete,  that 
all  their  gunboats  and  iron-clads  withdrew  in  disgust,  and  never 
troubled  us  again.  From  Northern  accounts  we  learned  that 
not  less  twenty  gunners  were  killed  in  one  iron-clad  alone,  and 
several  boats  so  much  shattered  internally,  that  they  were  qui- 
etly taken  down  to  Fortress  Monroe  for  repairs,  and  members 
of  the  press  were  forbidden  to  visit  or  inspect  them.  It  was  ad- 
mitted that  our  shore  batteries  had  fully  repulsed  them,  and 
this  acknowledgment  from  men  accustomed  to  the  falsification 
of  facts  speaks  volumes  for  our  success. 

Notwithstanding  the  efforts  of  Government  to  prepare  for  the 
approaching  conflict,  the  ominous  look  of  large  packing-boxes 
on  the  pavements,  and  the  removal  of  iron  safes,  led  thousands 
to  believe  the  army  would  evacuate  Richmond,  and  perhaps 
give  up  Virginia  also,  as  untenable.  Many  conveyed  property 
to  the  interior,  and  there  existed  a  feverish  excitement  among 
the  little  merchants.  Jews  and  Germans  were  converting  every 
thing  into  cash  at  ruinous  rates  of  discount,  sometimes  paying 
four  hundred  dollars  in  paper  for  one  hundred  dollars  in  cash ; 
while  others  of  their  brethren  changed  goods  into  tobacco, 
which  they  stowed  away  in  cellars,  preparatory  to  McClellan's  ar- 
rival ;  though  very  secretly  accomplished,  the  thing  was  known, 
and  no  notice  taken  of  it  by  our  authorities.  The  idea  of  giv- 
ing up  Richmond  was  heart-breaking,  but  so  doubtful  were  ap- 
pearances that  it  was  not  until  Governor  Letcher,  in  an  audience 
with  President  Davis,  had. been  positively  assured  that  "Vir- 
ginia should  not  be  given  up,  but  defended  until  the  streets  of 
Richmond  ran  with  blood,"  that  any  certainty  was  felt  regard- 
ing ministerial  measures.  When  the  Governor  rehearsed  the 
substance  of  his  interview  with  the  President  to  the  assembled 
Legislature,  a  popular  outburst  of  feeling  ensued :  all  swore  to 
reduce  the  place  to  ashes  rather  than  surrender,  and  the  ^accs 
of  all  were  flushed  with  patriotic  pride  as  they  armed  them- 
selves for  the  coming  conflict.  The  enemy,  indeed,  had  vigor- 


222  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

ously  pushed  their  advance  to  the  neighborhood  of  the  capital, 
and  on  the  right  of  their  line  were  but  four  miles  distant  from  it. 

To  understand  the  posture  of  affairs  at  this  time  it  is  necessary 
to  form  an  intelligible  idea  of  the  locality  and  of  the  positions 
occupied  by  the  rival  armies.  Richmond  is  situated  at  what 
may  be  considered  the  head  of  the  Yorktown  peninsula.  On  the 
south  side  the  peninsula  is  washed  by  the  James  River ;  on  the 
north,  by  the  York  River,  to  within-  seventy  miles  of  the  capital. 
The  York  River  is  continued  by  its  tributary  the  Pamunkey 
River,  which  approaches  within  a  few  miles  of  the  capital.  At 
the  foot  of  the  peninsula,  where  the  James  flows  into  Chesapeake 
Bay,  are  Newport  News  and  Hampton  Roads.  So  much  for  the 
general  geography  of  the  Richmond  peninsula,  as  shown  on 
ordinary  maps. 

The  approaching  battle-fields  may  be  represented  by  an  im- 
aginary square,  the  sides  of  which  indicate  the  four  quarters. 
At  the  bottom  or  south  will  be  Richmond,  and  the  rear  of  our 
army;  the  upper  side,  or  north,  will  represent  the  rear  of 
McClellan's  forces.  We  must  now  suppose  that  a  river  rises  in 
the  south-west,  and  runs  easterly,  but  in  the  centre  of  the  dia- 
gram flows  rapidly  north-eastwardly — this  is  the  Chickahominy? 
cutting  the  imaginary  equator  diagonally ;  and  the  equator  it- 
self is  the  common  front  of  both  armies.  It  will  thus  be  seen 
that  McClellan's  right  rested  north,  and  his  left  south  of  the 
stream,  the  communication  being  maintained  with  both  wings 
by  several  bridges,  his  centre  resting  on  both  sides  of  the 
stream  at  Bottom's  Bridge.  , 

From  Richmond  there  are  five  roads  which  cut  the  Chicka- 
hominy  at  right  angles,  in  the  following  order,  from  west  to 
east :  the  Brook  (or  Hanover  Court-house)  Turnpike ;  the  Me- 
chanicsville  Turnpike,  (the  village  of  Mechanicsville  being  on 
the  north  side  of  the  river,  and  the  headquarters  of  Fitz-John 
Porter,  commanding  the  Federal  right  wing ;)  the  Nine  Mile 
Road;  York  River  Railroad;  the  Williamsburgh  Road;  the 
Charles  City  Road;  and  the  Darbytown  Road.  From  the 
curve  of  the  river  across  our  front,  our  left  and  the  enemy's 
right  rested  on  the  stream,  but  at  the  Charles  City  Road  (our 
righi  and  the  enemy's  left)  were  far  from  the  stream,  it  being 
many  miles  to  their  rear. 

The  whole  front,   a  distance  of   about  seven  miles,  was 


POSITION  OP  THE   TWO  ARMIES.  223 

strongly  defended  by  field-works  of  all  kinds,  to  suit  the 
ground.  Between  our  left  and  the  enemy's  right,  the  ground 
dipped,  the  head  of  the  stream  being  in  the  centre,  but  friend 
and  foe  had  high  ground  which  commanded  Mechanicsville 
Bridge ;  the  pickets  of  either  army  being  within  a  hundred 
yards  of  the  bridge.  This  bottom  land  on  our  left  being  partly 
well  'timbered  by  the  swampy  nature  of  the  ground,  was  the 
scene  of  daily  skirmishing,  and  from  the  superior  position  of 
their  guns,  and  their  closer  proximity  to  the  bridge,  it  was 
indisputably  in  the  enemy's  possession,  and  was  well  defended 
by  elaborate  works.  The  distance  of  the  enemy's  right  was 
not  more  than  four  miles  from  Eichmond;  that  of  their  left 
about  seven  miles. 

McClellan  did  not  attempt  to  push  his  left  and  centre  across 
the  Chickahominy  until  more  than  a  week  after  the  tents  and 
flags  of  his  right  were  seen  around  Mechanicsville ;  in  fact,  the 
weather  was  unsuitable,  and  the  proposed  line  of  formation  was 
in  an  unhealthy  swamp  of  woods  and  fields.  The  circumstances 
left  McClellan  no  choice.  Between  Eichmond  and  the  Chicka- 
hominy there  is  an  insensible  fall  of  the  land,  and  we  had 
already  occupied  the  relatively  higher  position,  where  the  lands 
were  better  cultivated  and  drier,  and  less  encumbered  with 
timber.  Our  line  being  thus  formed,  McClellan  had  no  alter- 
native but  to  camp  his  forces  in  counter  line,  although  he  must 
have  seen  that  his  hospitals  would  soon  be  crowded,  from  chills, 
fevers,  ague,  and  rheumatism  among  his  troops. 

Having  taken  up  his  position,  McClellan  began  to  fortify 
various  points,  and  particularly  the  continuations  of  the  five 
roads  mentioned  which  passed  through  his  lines.  Thousands 
of  men  were  daily  employed  in  throwing  up  earthworks,  build- 
ing new  or  repairing  old  roads,  felling  timber  to  uncover  our 
front,  and  locate  his  divisions,  so  that  for  a  few  days  scarcely  a 
shot  was  exchanged  by  pickets,  save  on  our  left,  and  there  Fitz- 
John  Porter's  sharpshooters  and  our  own  were  blazing  away 
night  and  day.  As  it  was  for  some  time  considered  probable 
that  the  enemy  would  attempt  to  force  the  James,  our  right 
was  extended  two  miles  towards  it;  but  after  the  repulse  at 
Drury's  Bluff,  there  seemed  to  be  no  further  indications  of  any 
new  attempt,  and  Longstreet  removed  his  division,  and  camped 
in  regular  line  across  the  Charles  City  road. 


224  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

Our  effective  force,  including  Huger's  arrival  from  Norfolk, 
was  about  eighty  thousand ;  it  could  not  have  been  much  more, 
for  the  strength  of  the  several  divisions  was  not  near  their 
maximum ;  and  our  army,  as  well  as  McClellan's,  was  terribly 
weakened  by  sickness  and  ailments  of  various  kinds;  in  our 
case  arising  from  insufficient  -clothing,  poor  flour,  and  bad 
bacon,  owing  to  the  poverty  of  our  commissariat.  McClellan 
confesses  to  have  lost  thirty  thousand  men,  from  all  causes, 
since  his  operations  began  on  the  peninsula  (March)  up  to  the 
middle  of  May.  This  appears  incredible,  but  we  have  his  own 
words  to  vouch  for  the  fact.  Our  loss  from  all  causes  was  great, 
but  not  a  tenth  of  this  number.  The  transports  of  the  enemy 
brought  immense  s'upplies  of  every  kind  up  to  the  head  of  the 
York  Eiver,  (West-Point,)  and  depots  were  numerous  up  the 
Pamunkey,  being  easily  supplied  thence  to  the  army  by  excellent 
roads,  and  the  York  Eiver  railroad,  which  Johnston,  in  retreat, 
wisely  or  unwisely,  left  intact.  The  Northern  merchantmen 
also  ascended  the  James  Eiver,  steamed  up  the  Chickahominy, 
and  made  immense  deposits  of  all  things  along  its  banks,  con- 
veniently in  the  rear.  Guns  and  munitions  were  thus  abund- 
antly provided,  and  ere  many  weeks  McClellan's  army  was 
snugly  provided  for  in  their  lines  before  Eichmond. 

Our  generals,  as  usual,  were  calculating  upon  the  capture  of 
this  booty,  before  many  suns  had  set.  In  fact,  it  has  been  sug- 
gested, and  I  believe  it  to  be  true,  that  Johnston's  only  reason 
for  leaving  the  York  Eiver  Eailroad  untouched  in  his  'retreat, 
was  to  invite  the  enemy  to  make  immense  deposits  at  the 
depots  in  West-Point,  and  along  the  Pamunkey,  in  order 
eventually  that  himself  and  Jackson,  by  combined  movements, 
should  capture  all,  and  replenish  our  exhausted  stores.  Be 
this  as  it  may,  it  is  certain  that  inconceivable  quantities  of 
baggage  and  materiel  accumulated  in  the  rear,  and  so  confident 
wefe  Northern  merchants  of  McClellan's  success,  that  they  also 
gathered  immense  stores  in  the  rear,  so  as  to  be  able  to  open 
sales  in  Eichmond  simultaneously  with  its  occupation  I  Eidic- 
ulous  as  this  may  seem,  the  most  incontestable  facts  prove  it  to 
be  true. 

Both  armies  had  now  been  nearly  a  month  in  position,  and 
did  nothing  from  day  to  day  but  skirmish,  and  waste  ammu- 


X 
EXPECTED  ATTACK  OF  MCCLELLAN".  225 

nition  in  fruitless  cannonades.  Our  men  were  camped  in  the 
woods  and  fields  adjacent  to  the  roads ;  picket-guards,  strong 
bodies  of  skirmishers  with  supports,  presented  an  unbroken 
front  to  the  enemy,  but  they  did  not  seem  inclined  to  take  the 
initiative.  Whole  brigades  were  in  line  in  open  fields,  night 
and  day,  within  a  mile  of  the  enemy,  inviting  an  attack,  yet 
the  foe  never  came  from  the  woods,  but  contented  himself  with 
throwing  up  formidable  redoubts,  and  creeping  towards  Eich- 
mond  inch  by  inch.  It  was  evidently  McClellan's  wish  to 
avoid  a  field  fight,  his  idea  being  either  to  starve  us  out,  or 
gradually  get  near  enough  to  shell  Eichmond  at  discretion. 
Every  inducement  was  held  out  by  Johnston  to  draw  the 
enemy  from  their  works  and  woods  into  the  open  space  before 
us,  but  his  endeavors  were  unavailing. 

At  length  it  became  known  to  our  commanders  that  McClel- 
lan  designed  moving  his  left  and  centre  nearer  to  us,  and  it  was 
determined  to  attack  him  before  his  heavy  masses  could  be 
brought  up  in  proper  order.  Several  reconnoissances  were 
made  to  test  the  truth  of  the  information  we  had  received,  and 
it  was  also  confirmed  by  the  daily  reports  of  our  pickets.  In 
due  time  all  doubt  was  removed.  General  Casey  drove  in  our 
pickets,  and  camped  on  the  Williamsburgh  road,  within  a  mile 
of  us ;  the  left  centre  and  centre  of  the  enemy  down  the  rail- 
way and  Nine  Mile  Eoad  were  at  the  same  time  thrown  for- 
ward, and  every  appearance  indicated  that  they  meant  to 
precipitate  an  action.  In  this  attitude  of  expectation  I  must 
leave  the  two  armies  for  a  short  time,  in  order  to  follow  the 
fortunes  of  Jackson  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley. 

15 


I 

CHAPTER  XXY. 

Occurrences  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley — Battles  of  "  Front  Royal,"  May  twenty- 
third — Capture  of  Winchester  and  Thousands  of  Prisoners  by  Jackson — Rout 
of  Banks' s  Corps — Immense  Booty. 

ASHTON'S  letter  from  the  Valley*  read  as  follows : 
"  Our  retreat  after  the  battle  of  Kearnstown  was  very  rapid 
and  fatiguing ;  Jackson  forced  his  men  along  the  Valley  Pike 
all  night,  for  we  were  but  few  in  number,  and  Shields's  force 
very  large.  Without  much  rest,  we  pushed  through  Stras- 
burgh,  and  took  the  road  towards  Chaiiottesville,  and  had 
thus  got  a  start  of  over  twenty  miles  ere  the  enemy's  cavalry 
came  in  sight.  Ashby,  as  usual,  was  in  the  rear,  and  nobly 
beat  back  the  foe,  and  saved  us  from  annihilation ;  every  rise 
in  the  road  was  disputed  by  him,  until  at  last  the  Federals 
seemed  weary  of  fighting,  and  contented  themselves  with  hov. 
ering  in  the  rear. 

"At  Harrisonburgh  the  enemy  gave  up  the  pursuit,  but 
we  continued  our  route,  ten  miles  farther,  to  McGackeysville, 
having  travelled  the  whole  distance  of  seventy  miles  without 
halting  for  more  than  a  few  hours.  At  McGackeysville  we 
found  that  Ewell,  with  a  force  of  ten  thousand  men,  had 
crossed  the  Blue  Eidge,  and  formed  a  junction  with  Jackson. 
This  surprised  us,  it  having  been  thought  that  his  division  was 
with  Johnston ;  it  appeared,  however,  that  he  had  been  hov- 
ering around  Fredericksburgh,  on  the  Rappahannock,  watching 
a  division  of  McDowell,  who  held  the  nucleus  of  a  forcef  des- 
tined to  march  on  Richmond  from  the  west,  while  McClellan 
made  his  attack  on  the  east.  Knowing  that  McDowell  dared 
not  move  alone,  and  that  Shields  threatened  to  annihilate 

• 

*  See  end  of  Chapter  Twenty-third,  page  217. 

f  This  force,  in  addition  to  his  own  division,  was  to  consist  of  the  troops  of 
Banks  and  Shields,  from  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  and  those  of  Milroy,  Blenker,  and 
Fremont,  from  Western  Virginia. 


MOVEMENT  OF  JACKSON.  227 

0 

Jackson,  Ewell  had  wisely  crossed  the  Ridge  and  hastened  to 
our  assistance. 

"It  was  now  hoped  by  all,  that  Shields  would  leave  the 
Valley,  push  on  through  Harrisonburgh,  and  attack  us  at  Mc- 
Gackeysville  ;  but,  after  some  days,  it  was  ascertained  that 
he  remained  enjoying  the  fruits  of  the  battle  of  Kearnstown, 
and  was  waiting  until  Milroy  and  Blenker  should  clear  West- 
ern Virginia,  and  arrive  on  a  line  with  him,  when  they  would 
all  join  McDowell  at  Fredericksburgh.  Jackson  was  not 
many  days  at  McGrackeysville,  when  a  courier  from  the  Geor- 
gian, Colonel  Johnson,  arrived,  and  informed  him  that  Blenker 
and  Milroy,  with  their  Dutch  division,  were  advancing  east- 
ward in  Western  Virginia,  and  that  his  small  force  of  fifteen 
hundred  men  was  falling  back  before  them. 

"When  this  news  was  received,  Jackson,  finding  his  orig- 
inal command  fully  rested,  left  E well's  force  of  ten  thousand 
at  McGrackeysville,  and  sallied  out  during  the  night,  none 
knew  whither.  Keeping  to  the  mountains  until  he  arrived  at 
Port  Republic,  he  struck  the  Valley  Pike  there,  proceeded  on, 
by  night  and  day,  towards  Staunton,  and  then,  without  enter: 
ing  the  town,  shaped  his  course  north- west  through  the  mount- 
ains. After  a  fatiguing  march  of  seventy  miles  in  three  days, 
through  valleys,  over  mountains,  and  along  frightfully  muddy 
roads,  he  arrived  at  nine  A.M.,  May  tenth,  in  sight  of  Colonel 
Johnson's  little  force,  which  was  drawn  up  in  a  narrow  val- 
ley, at  a  village  called  McDowell,  with  the  heavy  brigades  of 
Milroy  and  Blenker  in  line  of  battle  before  him.  This  valley 
was  not  more  than  two  hundred  yards  wide,  having  steep 
mountains  on  either  hand,  that  on  our  left  being  called  Bull 
Pasture  Mountain.  Jackson's  men  having  been  allowed  a 
rest  of  two  hours,  he  and  Johnson  immediately  prepared  for 
battle,  and  skirmishing  began  in  all  directions. 

Milroy  and  Blenker  seemed  confident  of  success,  and  hand- 
led their  troops  admirably ;  they  had  several  pieces  of  artil- 
lery, we  had  none.  At  two  P.M.  the  fight  commenced  in  earn- 
est, and  Jackson  immediately  pushed  his  men  forward  to  bring 
matters  to  a  crisis.  Observing  that  they  suffered  from  our  in- 
cessant and  accurate  musketry-fire,  and  that  their  commands 
would  not  stand  close  work,  Milroy  and  Blenker  marched 
their  men  by  the  right  flank  up,  and  on,  to  Bull  Pasture 


228  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

% 

Mountain,  leaving  their  artillery  strongly  posted  on  the  mount- 
ain to  our  right,  ^thinking  to  gain  an  elevated  position,  and 
destroy  us.  Their  artillery  was  a  great  annoyance,  but  we 
soon  followed  the  plan  of  our  enemy — marched  up  the  mount- 
ain by  the  left  flank,  and  when  arrived  at  the  top,  fight- 
ing as  we  went,  found  it  to  be  an  admirable  place  for  an  en- 
gagement, being  perfectly  flat.  The  contest  was  here  renewed 
with  great  fury,  and  we  drove  the  enemy  a  considerable  dis- 
tance, until  night  put  an  end  to  hostilities,  and  the  enemy 
slunk  off  in  the  darkness.  Arrangements  were  made  in  ex- 
pectation of  the  engagement  being  renewed  in  the  morning, 
but  when  our  pickets,  finding  no  opposition,  moved  forward  a 
considerable  distance,  it  was  discovered  that  the  foe  had  left 
their  dead  and  wounded,  together  with  a  quantity  of  stores, 
and  had  iastily  decamped. 

"Every  arrangement  was  instantly  made  for  pursuit,  and 
ere  midnight  our  cavalry  scouts  came  in  and  reported 
that  large  fires  were  seen  burning,  in  the  direction  of  Frank- 
lin, and  that  in  the  hurry  and  confusion  of  defeat,  and  a 
forced  march,  immense  supplies  lay  "along  the  road,  and  that 
quantities  were  burning  in  all  directions.  "We  buried  our 
own  dead  —  about  one  hundred  in  number  —  and  that  of  the 
enemy — some  three  hundred — and  at  daylight  commenced 
the  pursuit.  The  distance  to  Franklin  was  forty  miles,  and 
the  road  one  of  the  roughest  that  mortal  was  ever  doomed  to 
travel ;  but  so  rapid  were  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  that, 
although  we  travelled  the  forty  miles  in  less  than  twenty  hours, 
they  had  reached  Franklin  before  us,  and  were  drawn  up  in  a 
strong  position,  occupying  the  right  and  left  of  a  road  that  ran 
between  two  mountains,  Franklin  being  in  their  rear.  Jack- 
son thought  it  probable  we  might  be  able  to  flank  them,  and 
sent  out  a  force  of  cavalry  to  reconnoitre,  who  reported  that 
not  a  single  road  or  cow-path  was  discovered  by  which  we 
could  get  round  the  enemy.  They  had  artillery  on  the  hills, 
and  every  movement  we  made  was  clearly  seen  by  them,  so 
that  it  was  deemed  unadvisable  to  attack  with  our  small  force, 
strongly  posted  as  they  were,  and  inaccessible  except  in  front, 
through  the  gorge. 

"  Learning  that  his  success  at  McDowell  had  so  frightened 
Milroy  and  Blenker  that  they  had  called  upon  Fremont,  who 


MOVEMENT  OF  EWELL.  229 

was  a  few  marches  behind,  Jackson  determined  to  deceive  them 
and  fall  back.  After  remaining  at  Franklin  part  of  two  days, 
he  ordered  his  cavalry  to  be  unusually  active,  and  make  in- 
cessant demonstrations  in  all  quarters ;.  if  necessary,  they  were 
to  fall  back  on  McDowell,  leaving  the  enemy  to  infer  that 
strong  forces  were  near  at  hand ;  Jackson,  in  the  mean  while, 
refreshed  his  own  and  Johnston's  men,  and  began  to  retreat 
through  McDowell  more  swiftly  than  he  had  advanced> 
Marching  at  a  rapid  rate,  he  reached  the  Valley  Pike  at 
Mount  Crawford,  eighteen  miles  from  Staunton,  and  learned 
that  Banks's  force  had  fallen  back  from  Harrisonsburgh  to 
Strasburgh.  Moving  at  a  fast  rate  down  the  Valley  Pike, 
Jackson  proceeded  onwards  to  Newmarket,  and  was  there 
joined  by  E well's  force  of  ten  thousand,  which  had  been 
awaiting  us  at  Swift  Eun  Gap.  Our  whole  force  now 
amounted  to  about  fourteen  thousand  men.  After  a  little 
rest,  we  all  proceeded  across  the  Shenandoah  Mountains} 
and  camped  near  Lurah,  in  Page  Valley,  about  twelve  miles 
from  Front  Eoyal  —  the  rear  of  Banks's  army  in  the  Valley. 

"This  requires  some  explanation.  When  Shields  found 
Jackson  strongly  posted  at  McGrackeysville,  he  declined  to 
advance  against  him,  as  I  have  already  mentioned,  and  with- 
drawing his  forces  from  between  Woodstock  and  Harrison- 
burgh,  he  regained  the  Valley,  determined  to  push  on  towards 
McDowell  at  Fredericksburgh,  and  commence  the  '  on  to  Rich- 
mond'  movement  from  the  west  Banks  also  had  the  same 
destination,  having  his  force  scattered  up  and  down  the  Val- 
ley, the  rear  being  at  Front  Royal.  Blenker  and  Milroy 
were  similarly  bound  through  Western  Virginia,  but  their 
defeat  had  diverted  Fremont  from  his  proper  route,  who  im- 
mediately went  to  their  assistance.  Thinking,  therefore,  that 
Jackson  was  busily  engaged  in  that  distant  quarter,  and  not 
likely  to  trouble  them  in  the  Valley  again,  Banks  and  Shields 
were  quietly  making  their  way  towards  Fredericksburgh,  un- 
conscious of  danger,  when,  on  the  morning  of  May  twenty- 
second,  Jackson  and  Ewell,  with  fourteen  thousand  men,  were 
meditating  an  attack  on  their  rear. 

"  To  make  all  sure,  Ewell  was  detached  with  ten  thousand 
men  to  seize  Winchester,  the  enemy's  grand  ddpot,  before  they 


230  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

could  turn  and  flee,  and — as  Banks  would  be  obliged  to  pass 
through  that  town — to  man  the  fortifications,  and  keep  him  to 
the  southward,  while  Jackson  should  strike  his  column  on  the 
flanks,  and  seize  the  baggage.  With  this  object  Ewell  started 
northwards,  and  we  southwards,  towards  Front  Royal.  Al- 
though we  had  been  camped  within  twelve  miles  of  the  latter 
place  several  days,  our  movements  and  position  had  been  kept 
so  secret  that  the  Federal  commandant  knew  nothing  of  our 
presence  until  the  attack  was  actually  made  on  the  morning  of 
the  twenty-third  of  May.  The  Louisianians,  as  skirmishers, 
having  encircled  the  place,  Jackson,  in  battle  array,  marched 
up  to  the  village,  and  after  some  little  fighting  captured  the 
First  Federal  Maryland  Regiment,  seven  hundred  strong,  under 
command  of  Colonel  Kenly,  and  immediately  seized  the  town, 
together  with  immense  stores.  During  the  afternoon  our  cav- 
alry attacked  the  enemy  at  Buckton  station  on  the  railroad,  and 
after  smart  skirmishing,  captured  several  hundred  prisoners, 
and  such  quantities  of  stores  that  they  had  to  be  destroyed. 
Judge  of  Banks's  astonishment  when  informed  of  this  !  Never 
dreaming  of  such  a  trick,  he  had  established  extensive  depots 
up  and  down  the  valley  —  that  at  Winchester  being  worth 
millions  of  dollars.  He  had  but  one  way  to  retreat — by  the 
Valley  Pike — and  that  was  held  by  us  ;  with  Ewell  marching 
rapidly  towards  Winchester  to  seize  the  fortifications,  and  get 
still  farther  in  his  rear.  \ 

"We  had  accomplished  much  at^  Front  Royal  and  Buckton 
station,  and,  expecting  that  Banks  would  not  attempt  to  move 
for  several  days,  were  meditating  proper  methods  of  attack 
along  their  line  of  retreat,  for  Banks  had  a  very  large  army, 
and  could  not  well  be  assailed  in  regular  form  by,  our  small 
force;  but  judge  of  our  surprise  when,  next  morning,  (twenty- 
fourth,)  word  was  brought  that  Banks's  whole  command  was 
racing  up  the  Pike  towards  Winchester  at  an  awful  rate,  and  in 
the  wildest  excitement.  Such  marching  you  never  saw — cav- 
alry and  infantry  and  baggage-wagons  were  dashing  along  at 
headlong  speed  in  hot  haste  to  reach  Winchester,  the  roads 
being  strewn  for  miles  with  every  imaginable  article  known  to 
campaigning.  Our  cavalry  and  infantry  attacked  them  at  all 
points,  and  in  every  conceivable  way ;  but  this  army  of  twenty 
thousand  men  pushed  along,  running  and  fighting  as  they  went, 


BATTLE   OF    "FRONT    ROYAL."  231 

jumping  over  fences,  leaving  wagons,  cannon,  and  thousands 
of  prisoners  in  our  .hands.  Cavalry  were  incessantly  charging 
the  foe  or  driving  batches  of  prisoners  to  the  rear.  Now  the 
enemy's  infantry  would  halt,  and  make  a  show  of  fighting,  but 
•our  men  gave  a  yell  and  a  volley,  our  cavalry  plunged  into 
their  broken  ranks,  and  they  were  ruthlessly  cut  down.  In 
truth,  we  had  been  marched  and  overworked  too  much  to  take 
full  advantage  of  the  glorious  opportunity  now  presented ;  but 
all  did  the  best  they  could.  The  retreat  of  the  enemy  was  so 
rapid  that  it  was  impossible  for  infantry  to  keep  up  with  them, 
and  most  of  the  duty  devolved  on  cavalry.  They  seized  hun- 
dreds of  fresh  cavalry  horses,  remounted,  and  were  again  after 
the  enemy  at  full  gallop,  capturing  scores  of  prisoners  every 
mile,  and  yet  the  pursuit  continued  all  day. 

"At  the  village  of  Middleton  a  New-Jersey  regiment  of 
horse  turned  to  fight,  but  our  cavalry  rode  against  them  so  furi- 
ously that  the  enemy  were  instantly  unhorsed,  fifty  of  them 
being  killed,  one  hundred  wounded,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty 
captured ;  so  that  from  wagons,  baggage,  dead,  wounded,  and 
prisoners,  the  roads  were  almost  impassable.  Wagons  by  the 
dozen  were  driven  from  the  road,  and  the  traces  having  been 
cut,  the  teams  might  be  seen  running  wildly  about  in  all  direc- 
tions. The  scene  was  that  of  Manassas  over  .again.  Every 
field  was  crowded  with  fugitives  who  waited  to  be  captured, 
while  scores  of  ambulances  were  filled  with  footsore  or  wound- 
ed Federals,  and  driven  to  .the  rear,  the  men  seeming  speech- 
less from  astonishment.  Colonels,  Majors,  Captains,  rank  and 
file,  were  marched  indiscriminately  to  the  rear,  while  on  dashed 
our  wearied  cavalry,  pistolling  and  cutting  down  the  still  re- 
treating enemy.  So  it  continued  all  day  long  on  the  twenty- 
fourth,  until,  perfectly  broken  down  with  the  labor,  we  camped 
at  Newtown,  a  few  miles  from  Winchester.  • 

"Ewell  had  not  been  able  to  get  into  Winchester  before 
Banks  arrived ;  and  as  the  place  was  strongly  fortified,  Jackson, 
deferred  all  attack  until  the  twenty-fifth,  by  which  time  it  was 
hoped  our  exhausted  infantry  would  arrive.  For  miles  along 
the  road  towards  and  beyond  Winchester,  large  and  innumer- 
able fires  told  that  the  enemy  were  destroying  their  supplies, 
and  already  on  their  retreat  towards  the  Potomac.  Such  a 
sight  I  could  never  have  conceived.  The  whole  country  seem- 


232  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

ed  on  fire,  yet  every  approach  towards  Winchester  was  still  as 
death,  which  led  many  to  suppose  we  should  have  a  hard  fight 
before  gaming  the  town  on  the  morrow. 

"  We  had  between  two  and  three  hundred  wagons  in  our 
possession  untouched,  and  supplies  of  every  description  beyond  ' 
calculation,  so  that  our  wearied  and  famished  soldiery  enjoyed 
themselves  hugely,  and  did  not  care  a  straw  what  the  morrow 
might  bring  forth.  We  had  beaten  Banks — that  was  an  all- 
sufficing  fact ;  and  Jackson,  who  had  been  cursed  for  his  Idng 
marches  and  incessant  fighting,  was  now  idolized,  and  every 
one  saw  into  and  loudly  applauded  his  rapid  movements  and 
his  unexampled  success.  Standing  on  a  hill  near  our  camps, 
the  sight  on  the  night  of  the  twenty-fourth  was  awfully  grand ; 
whichever  way  the  eye  might  turn,  fires  illuminated  the  dark 
and  distant  landscape,  and  it  seemed  that  the  destruction  and 
loss  to  the  enemy  were  incalculable.  Their  immense  amount  of 
supplies  and  baggage  is  explained  by  the  fact  that  this  part  of 
the  Valley  had  been  used  as  the  grand  d^pot,  not  only  for 
Banks  himself,  but  for  supplying  the  commands  of  Shields, 
Fremont,  Milroy,  Blenker,  and  others,  besides  the  accumulated 
stores  destined  for  McDowell.  Such  a  race,  riot,  confusion,  loss 
in  men  and  materiel  as  Banks  suffered  on  that  eventful  day  are 
totally  beyond  my  power  to  describe. 

"  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  twenty-fifth,  Jackson  began  to 
move  on  Winchester.  Dense  columns  of  smoke  issuing  from 
the  town  made  it  evident  that  the  enemy  were  busily  engaged 
in  burning  stores ;  but  as  Jackson  did  not  relish  this  idea,  he 
pushed  forward,  and,  meeting  with  a  feeble  resistance,  we  rushed 
into  the  town,  driving  the  foe  through  every  street ;  even  women 
and  children  assisting  us  by  throwing  brick-bats,  or  whatever 
they  conveniently  could,  from  the  windows.  The  fight  was 
neither  long  nbr  sanguinary ;  the  Federals  were  more  scared 
than  hurt,  yet  our  cavalry  commenced  a  hot  pursuit,  and  hung 
within  a  few  yards  of  their  rear,  fighting  and  chasing  them  in 
the  same  style  as  the  day  before.  By  our  opportune  arrival, 
much  property  was  saved  of  incalculable  value,  including  seve- 
ral hundred  boxes  of  new  arms  of  various  sorts,  for  all  branches 
of  the  service,  besides  a  vast  supply  of  medicines,  a  few  cannon, 
and  countless  articles  of  value. 

"  It  was  about  noon  ere  the  pursuit  commenced  in  force ;  and 


ROUT  OP    THE   FEDERALS.  .   233 

as  our  men  were  now  well  clothed,  and  provided  with  an  abund- 
ance of  all  the  necessaries  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life,  all 
were  gay  and  anxious  to  push  forward,  and,  if  possible,  drive 
.  the  enemy  into  the  Potomac.  Hurrying  forward  towards 
Charleston,  we  found  that  Banks  had  shaped  his  course  towards 
"Williamsport,  and  ere  he  had  crossed  over  to  that  town,  our 
advance  was  well  up  with  him;  while  the  number  of  dead, 
wounded,  and  prisoners  along  the  road  showed  what  havoc 
Ashby  had  made  among  the  foe  with  his  cavalry.  Hats,  caps, 
muskets,  boots,  wagons,  dead,  wounded,  prisoners,  burning 
stores,  sabres,  pistols,  etc.,  lined  every  yard  of  the  road,  while 
hundreds  of  fatigued  and  famished  Yankees  concealed  them- 
selves in  every  wood,  making  their  way  towards  the  Potomac 
as  best  they  could,  footsore,  unarmed,  ragged,  and  totally  de- 
moralized. Had  our  men  been  marched  less,  and  fully  recruited 
from  their  terrible  mountain  fights  and  journeys,  it  would  have 
been  impossible  for  Banks  to  have  drawn  off  a  single  regiment; 
but,  as  we  were  far  more  fatigued  than  they,  the  punishment 
inflicted  and  the  vigor  of  our  pursuit  were  not  half  as  effective 
as-  they  might  have  been.  Never  giving  up,  however,  Ashby 
still  hung  on  their  rear,  and  unmercifully  thrashed  them  when- 
ever they  turned  to  fight.  At  last,  totally  prostrated  from  fa- 
tigue, and  helpless  as  children,  we  reached  the  vicinity  of  Wil- 
liamsport, on  the  evening  of  the  twenty-sixth,  and  found  that 
all  who  remained  of  the  enemy  had  effected  a  passage  across 
the  river  at  different  points,  and  were  safe  in  Maryland. 

"  The  bare  idea  of  our  excessive  labor  during  the  pursuit  on 
the  twenty-fourth,  twenty-fifth,  and  twenty-sixth,  is  enough  to 
terrify  me,  for  the  whole  route  travelled  was  more  than  fifty 
miles,  and  every  furlong  of  it  witnessed  an  encounter  of  some 
sort ;  so  that  when  we  found  the  foe  had  escaped,  most  of  us  felt 
infinite  relief.  The  complete  details  of  our  success  can  never  be 
known,  but,  speaking  roughly,  we  had  captured  thousands  of 
prisoners,  killed  and  wounded  hundreds  more,  Seized  miles  of 
baggage-wagons,  immense  stores  of  every  imaginable  descrip- 
tion, together  with  many  cannons,  thousands  of  small  arms, 
ammunition  by  hundreds  of  tons,  clothing,  medicines,  public 
documents  of  value,  thousands  of  shoes,  and  had  burned  mil- 
lions' worth  of  property  for  want  of  transportation.  Throughout 


234  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE   SOUTH. 

the  whole  route  from  StrasburJjh  to  Williamsport,  in  every  lane 
and  every  field,  booty  still  lay  where  the  enemy  had  left  it, 
and  for  many  days  after  our  arrival  on  the  Potomac,  cavalry 
had  little  else  to  do  but  sally  forth,  and  pick  up  small  parties 
of  prisoners  endeavoring  to  make  their  way  to  the  river.  *  All 
description  of  this  memorable  defeat  of  the  enemy  under  Banks 
must  fall  short  of  the  reality.  Such  sights  I  never  expected  to 
behold  in  the  whole  course  of  my  existence.  The  confusion, 
rout,  noise,  destruction,  incessant  discharge  of  arms,  the  utter 
prostration  and  consternation  of  the  enemy,  were  appalling,  and 
although  I  know  nothing  of  this  kind  will  ever  be  heard  North, 
and  that  the  Federal  leaders  will  speak  lightly  of  the  facts,*  God 

*  The  following  Northern  items  regarding  these  events  will  not  be  uninteresting, 
as  illustrative  of  their  feeling  and  "  exaggeration  of  truth,"  namely : 

"  Washington,  May  2&th. — We  have  passed  a  very  exciting  day  in  Washington. 
The  intelligence  received  last  evening  to  the  effect  that  General  Banks  had  fallen 
back  from  Strasburgh  to  Winchester,  was  understood  to  indicate  rather  a  precau- 
tionary measure  on  his  part,  than  the  result  of  any  immediate  movement  of  the 
enemy.  The  tidings  of  this,  morning,  announcing  the  occupation  of  Winchester  by 
Jackson,  and  the  withdrawal  of  Banks,  after  an  engagement  of  six  hours,  in  the 
direction  of  Martinsburgk  and  Harper's  Ferry,  placed  matters  in  a  new  light,  and 
aroused  serious  apprehensions,  not  only  for  the  safety  of  his  little  command,  but 
for  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  the  city  of  Baltimore,  and  even  the.  Capital. 
Later  in  the  day  the  reports  of  the  rioting  in  Baltimore  and  of  the  rout  of  the 
entire  force  of  Banks,  by  the  quick  march  and  overwhelming  numbers  of  Jackson, 
intensified  the  excitement.  The  secessionist  sympathizers,  too  greatly  elated  to 
conceal  their  joy,  openly  expressed  their  belief  that  the  host  of  Jeff.  Davis  will 
overrun  Maryland  and  the  District  within  twenty-four  hours. 

ONE  TRUTH  ABOUT  THE  WAR  TOLD  BY  A  YANKEE. — Wilson,  says  a  Northern  jour- 
nal, one  of  the  Senators  from  Massachusetts  in  the  Yankee  Congress,  confessed  or 
charged  the  other  day,  in  a  speech  from  his  desk,  that  there  was  an  organized  sys- 
tem of  lying  practised  in  the  management  of  the  war.  This  is  probably  the  first 
truth  that  Wilson  himself  has  ever  told  about  the  war.  It  is  notorious  that  old 
Scott  justifies  lying  as  a  necessary  part  of  the  science  of  war.  To  such  a  mind, 
treason  to  his  native  State,  his  hereditary  sovereign,  presented  no  difficulty.  It  is 
probable  that  he  first  introduced  the  system  of  lying  as  a  part  of  the  strategy  of 
war,  and,  indeed,  as  the  means  of  beginning  it,  for  he  was  at  Washington  for  some 
months  before  the  close  of  Buchanan's  administration.  The  first  lie  that  we  re- 
member, bearing  directly  on  the  beginning  of  hostilities,  was  the  pledge  made  by 
Buchanan  to  the  South-Carolina  delegation  in  Congress,  that  the  military  status  of 
Charleston  harbor  should  not  be  changed.  The  pledge  was  violated  on  the  night 
of  the  twenty-sixth  December,  1860,  by  Major  Anderson  removing  his  forces  from 
Fort  Moultrie  to  Fort  Sumter,  and  attempting  to  destroy  the  defences  of  the  former. 
The  second  important  lie  in  the  initiation  of  hostilities  was  the  assembling  of  troops 
in  force  at  Washington  on  the  pretext  that  an  attack  would  be  made  on  the  Capi- 


NORTHERN  ACCOUNTS.  235 

forbid  that  any  army  of  ours  should  be  so  broken  up  and  so 
totally  demoralized  as  was  that  of  the  vain-glorious  and  arrant 

tal,  and  the  inauguration  of  Lincoln  would  not  otherwise  be  permitted.  The  third 
was,  the  assurance  that  due  notice  would  be  given  to  the  authorities  of  Charleston, 
if  it  were  determined  to  reenforce  or  provision  Fort  Sumter.  The  notice  was  not 
given  until  the  fleet  despatched  for  the  purpose  was  presumed  to  be  at  the  mouth 
of  Charleston  harbor.  But  we  have  no  idea  of  going  further  with  the  narrative. 
The  lying  of  the  Yankee  Government,  Generals,  newspapers,  and  people  about  the 
war,  is  an  Augean  stable  into  which  we  will  neither  take  our  readers  nor  go  our- 
selves. 

NORTHERN  ACCOUNT  OF  "  FRONT  ROYAL  "  AND  "  WINCHESTER." — The  following 
extract  from  the  correspondence  of  the  New-York  World  admits  the  defeat  of  the 
Federals,  and  tries  to  palliate  it  by  exaggerating  the  superiority  of  the  Confederates 
in  numbers : 

"  William  H.  Mapes,  commanding  pioneer  corps,  arrived  and  reported  to  Colonel 
Kenley,  who  gave  orders  immediately  where  they  should  be  stationed,  and  they 
continued  with  the  remainder  of  the  little  force,  doing  noble  service,  and  holding 
in  check  successfully  not  less  than  six  times  their  number.  Seeing  the  danger  of 
their  position,  the  commander  of  the  brigade  gave  the  order  to  retreat,  which  they 
did  in  excellent  order,  across  the  Shenandoah.  Mapes  was  then  ordered  to  burn 
the  bridge,  which  was  accordingly  fired,  by  placing  upon  it  piles  of  fence-rails,  but 
was  not  destroyed.  The  rebels  came  on  so  closely  and  hotly  that  we  were  driven 
away,  and  did  not  succeed  in  the  attempt.  They  soon  arrived,  and  crossed  the 
bridge  on  the  north  branch  of  the  Shenandoah,  which  they  succeeded  in  firing  and 
destroying,  but  not,  however,  in  detaining  the  rebels,  who,  cavalry  and  infantry, 
plunged  in  and  forded  it,  and  were  soon  upon  the  other  side. 

"  Soon  was  received  the  unwelcome  news  that  the  enemy  had  surrounded  them, 
flunking  them  with  superior  numbers  right  and  left. 

"  Our  men,  undaunted,  dashed  upon  them  with  such  vigor  as  to  effect  their  es- 
cape, and  cut  their  way  out  from  the  coils  of  the  rebels  thrown  around  them,  not, 
however,  without  being  again  surrounded  and  so  effectually  beset  on  every  side, 
behind  and  before,  with  the  most  insurmountable  superiority,  both  in  the  numbers 
and  freshness  of  the  rebel  troops,  that  they  were  completely  destroyed  or  captured, 
together  with  their  noble  Colonel  and  other  field-officers. 

"  The  severity  of  the  fight  beggars  all  attempt  at  description." 

(The  enemy  tried  to  effect  their  retreat  through  Winchester,  and  the  same  writer 
gives  a  graphic  account  of  the  disasters  attending  that  retreat,  and  the  still  greater 
slaughter  at  Winchester.) 

"Presently  General  Williams,  who  had  not  left  Strasburgh,  came  riding  rapidly 
with  his  staff  to  the  head  of  the  column,  and  the  soldiers  raised  a  hearty  cheer  as 
he  passed,  which  continued  up  the  column  as  he  advanced  up  the  front.  General 
Banks  soon  followed,  and  was  greeted  with  similar  manifestations  of  pleasure  and 
confidence  in  their  commander. 

"We  followed  closely,  and  the  road  was  filled  with  wagons,  some  broken  down, 
others  with  the  mules  cut  suddenly  away,  and  all  deserted  by  their  drivers,  who 
had  taken  fright  on  the  appearance  of  a  few  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  and  fled  ha  a 
Bull  Run  stampede. 


/ 


236  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE  SOUTH. 

Abolitionist,  General  N.  P.  Banks.  How  many  millions  of 
dollars  they  have  lost  in  this  retreat  of  three  days  will  never 
be  known,  and  perhaps  can  not  be  calculated ;  but  this  I  do 
know,  that  we  are  now  wallowing  in  the  luxuries  of  life,  and 
Jackson  has  sufficient  stores  to  last  an  indefinite  time,  should 
we  successfully  transport  them  out  of  the  Valley.  Excuse 
haste,  and  believe  me  yours,  ASHTON." 

"  The  infantry  were  kept  somewhat  in  the  rear  until  the  General  and  his  body- 
guard had  advanced,  to  ascertain  the  position  of  the  enemy,  and  the  space  between 
was  filled  with  the  baggage-wagons,  which  were  being  repossessed  by  their  timor- 
ous guardians,  under  the  inspiring  influence  of  wagon-master's  whip,  who,  enraged 
at  the  cowardly  rout,  was  driving  them  back  with  unmerciful  lashes  to  their  de- 
serted charges.  Men  were  now  seen  flocking  back,  and  the  baggage-train  was 
again  supplied  with  teamsters 

"  The  other  end  of  our  column  encountered  the  force  which  was  to  have  been 
sent  to  attack  our  rear.  First  the  Zouaves  d' Afrique,  body-guard  of  General  Banks, 
had  been  stationed  in  the  rear,  to  burn  the  bridge  across  Meadow  Creek,  three 
miles  from  Strasburgh,  after  all  had  passed  except  the  cavalry,  under  General 
Hatch,  who  was  yet  to  come  up  and  ford  the  river.  While  they  were  besmearing 
the  bridge  with  tar,  unexpecting  any  danger^  the  enemy  charged  down  upon  them 
from  the  mountain  on  the  left,  cutting  them  up  in  the  most  unmerciful  manner, 
and  capturing  all  of  them  except  five 

"  Presently  there  was  a  commotion,  a  sobbing  among  the  women,  and  a  running 
to  and  fro,  which  brought  me  to  my  feet  in  time  to  find  our  forces  were  started  on 
a  retreat ;  and,  as  I  saw  flames  rising  from  the  burning  buildings  not  far  off,  and 
heavy  volumes  of  smoke  roll  upward  from  them,  I  began  to  realize  that  we  were 
to  abandon  Winchester.  The  enemy  were  in  the  other  end  of  the  town,  as  the 
rattle  and  echo  of  the  musketry  up  the  streets  and  between  the  houses  most  plainly 
indicated.  All  the  streets  were  in  commotion.  Cavalry  were  rushing  away  in  dis- 
order, and  infantry,  frightened  by  the  rapidity  of  their  mounted  companions,  were 
in  consternation.  All  were  trying  to  escape  faster  than  their  neighbors,  dreading 
most  of  all  to  be  the  last. 

"  Presently  the  enemy's  cannon  boomed  in  the  rear,  and  a  small  cloud  of  smoke 
in  the  sky,  suddenly  appearing,  and  then  dissolving,  showed  where  the  shell  had 
exploded.  Some  shells  fell  among  our  men,  and  the  panic  was  quite  general  for 
a  short  time.  Guns,  knapsacks,  cartridge-boxes,  bayonets,  and  bayonet-cases,  lay 
scattered  upon  the  ground  in  great  confusion,  thrown  away  by  the  panic-stricken 
soldiers 

"  Colonel  Gordon  and  staff  are  safe ;  also  General  Williams  and  staff.  While  re- 
treating through  Winchester,  women  from  the  houses  opened  fire  of  pistols  upon 
our  soldiers,  and  killed  a  great  many  of  them." 

My  reader  will  not  fail  to  observe  from  the  above,  that  General  Banks's  body, 
guard  is  composed  of  negroes,  and  that  the  women  of  Winchester  killed  "  a  great 
many"  of  the  Yankees. 


REFERENCE 

Confederate  original 
position  ituus . 

Federal  original 
position       thtu 

Gmfcdcnttelroops 
Icilzral        ~i 
Stnart's  read 


CHAPTER  XXVI: 

Battle  of  the  Chickahominy,  or  "  Seven  Pines  " — The  Plan  of  Battle — Annihilation 
of  the  Enemy's  Left — Loss  of  either  Army — General  Johnston  wounded. 

ON  Friday,  the  thirtieth,  of  May,  our  camps  presented  noth-* 
ing  unusual,  nor  were  any  movements  in  progress  that  indi- 
cated the  early  commencement  of  hostilities.  During  the  night, 
a  thunderstorm  of  unusual  violence  shook  the  heavens,  and  rain 
fell  so  heavily  that  the  whole  face  of  the  country  was  deluged 
with  water.  The  men  in  camp  were  exposed  to  all  the  violence 
of  the  storm,  and  the  roads  were  rendered  impassable,  with  mud 
three  feet  deep.  The  enemy  were  even  worse  off  than  ourselves, 
as  the  bottom  lands  at  the  head  of  the  Chickahominy  were  flood- 
ed, and  the  stream  itself  much  swollen.  Active  operations  on 
their  right  were  impossible. 

Early  in  the  morning  (Saturday,  May  thirty-first)  it  was 
whispered  that  Johnston  intended  attacking  their  left ;  but  in 
answer  to  the  inquiry,  "In  such  weather?"  it  was  answered 
that  the  bridges  were  washed  away,  rendering  it  impossible  for 
McClellan  to  send  over  any  of  his  right  and  centre  to  the  assist- 
ance of  his  left,  and  that  a  large  force  would  be  thrown  against 
his  left,  effectually  crushing  it  before  reenforced.  Huger's  divi- 
sion, it  was  understood,  was  to  move  down  the  Charles  City 
road,  (our  extreme  right,)  and  thus  outflank  and  turn  the  en- 
emy's left,  while  Longstreet  pushed  our  right  down  the  Wil- 
liamsburgh  road,  (two  miles  from  Huger,)  and  "Whiting  ad- 
vanced his  division  near,  and  down  the  railroad,  (our  right  cen- 
tre,) thus  hotly  engaging  the  enemy  at  three  points.  As  I  have 
already  said,  it  was  impossible  for  McClellan's  right  and  right 
centre  to  be  engaged,  the  bridges  having  been  washed  away 
by  the  floods. 

I  was  informed  of  the  intended  movement  at  six  A.M.,  was 
soon  in  the  saddle  and  away,  since  the  opening  fire  was  to  come 


I 

238  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE    SOUTH. 

from  Linger  at  eight  o'clock.  The  affair  was  not  known  to  any 
in  town,  but  as  I  saw  heavy  columns  of  troops  moving  towards 
the  Charles  City  road,  I  spurred  along  through  the  mud,  and 
soon  came  up  with  the  infantry  advance  of  Longstreet  toiling 
through  the  mire  on  the  Williamsburgh  road.  Eegiments  and 
brigades  occupied  woods  on  each  side  the  road,  ready  for  orders 
to  move,  but  hour  after  hour  passed,  and  no  gun  from  Huger 
told  of  his  whereabouts.  The  heavens  were  surcharged  with 
clouds,  rain-drops  fell  thickly,  and  from  the  unusual  silence  of 
pickets  to  the  front,  I  supposed  the  action  had  been  postponed. 
J  saw  Longstreet  and  others  were  mortified  at  Huger's  slow- 
ness ;  President  Davis,  and  members  of  his  Cabinet,  seemed  per- 
plexed, and  rode  from  point  to  point,  anxiously  expecting'  to 
hear  Huger's  guns  open;  but  when,  near(  noon,  it  was  ascer- 
tained he  was  not  yet  fci  position,  Longstreet;  determined*  to 
open  the  action  and  fight  it  alone.  Our  whole  front  was  occu- 
pied with  thick  woods  on  marshy  ground,  the  water  in  many 
places-  being  two  feet  deep.  I  cast  my  eye  to  the  rear,  and  saw 
brigades  forming  battle  line  in  the  woods :  a  courier  dashed  up 
the  road,  and  soon  after  the  chain  of  pickets  began  to  "pop'' 
rapidly  in  the  front,  a  large  body  of  sharpshooters  dashed  across 
the  open  in  skirmishing  order,  entered  the  timber  to  the  right 
and  left  of -the  road,  and  ere  many  minutes  were  rapidly  firing 
in  the  front. 

Now  began  the  slow  advance  of  our  regiments  through  the 
woods  in  support,  and  a  few  pieces  of  artillery  were  endeavor- 
ing to  push  up  to  the  front  through  the  frightful  depth  of  mud. 
Horses  were  lashed  and  gbaded,  but  all  to  no  purpose  ;  artille- 
rymen were  up  to  their  middle  in  mire,  tugging  at  long* ropes, 
but  their  progress  was  very  slow  indeed  ;  for  the  gullies,  holes, 
pools,  and  rocks,  threatened  to  capsize  them  at  every  turn.  The 
enemy  were  reported  in  strong  force  at  Barker's  Farm,  a  large 
open  tract  about  a  mile  distant,  and  well  protected  by  a  series 
of  well-mounted  redoubts  and  field"- works.  '  i- 

As  soon  as  our  pickets  had  advanced  and  begun  to  skirmish, 
they  were  met  by  several  regiments  to  the  left  of  the  road,  but 
immediately  a  finely  drilled  regiment  of  North-Carolinians 
(the  "Fourth")  advanced  up  the  road  at  "double-quick,"  took 
the  enemy  in  flank,  delivered  a  volley,  and  dispersed  them. 
This  cleared  the  way,  and  our  regiments  were  slowly  advancing 


FLANKING   MOVEMENT.  239 

through  the  woods,  up  to  their  middle  in  mud  and  water,  hav- 
ing to  brush  off'  occasionally  a  cloud  of  skirmishers  that  disput- 
ed their  passage.  Casey,  who  commanded  the  Federals  at  Bar- 
ker's Farm,  was  heavily  reenforced  by  several  brigades,  and 
seemed  inclined  not  to  dispute  our  advance  very  vigorously  un- 
til we  emerged  from  the  woods  into  the  open  farm,  "and  in  front 
of  his  earthworks  and  batteries.  His  pieces  then  opened  fire 
with  shell,  but  not  one  of  ours  could  be  brought  to  the  front  to 
reply,  so  that  shot  and  canister  were  tearing  through  the  woods, 
and  inflicting  considerable  loss  upon  us. 

The  North-Carolinians,  having  dispersed  the  first  body  of  the 
enemy,  marched  into  the  woods  on  the  left  of  the  road,  and  ad- 
vanced on  Barker's  Farm  comparatively  covered ;  Mississippi- 
ans  and  others  having  worked  their  way  through  the  swamp, 
did  the  same  to  the  right;  No  attempt  was  made  by  our  troops 
to  advance  far  along  the  road,  for  hostile  batteries  swept  its  en- 
tire length  through  the  farm.  When  our  advance,  therefore, 
had  arrived  at  the  edge  of  the  woods,  the  open  space  in  front 
was  seen  covered  with  troops,  several  batteries  at  the  same  time 
blazing  away  and  rendering  all  advance  impracticable.  Gen- 
eral D.  H.  Hill  commanded  on  the  right,  and  Brigadier-General 
Anderson  the  left  of  the  road ;  but  until  their  whole  force  could 
come  up,  they  ordered  their  men  to  lie  down  for  a  short  time, 
and  allow  the  shell  and  grape-shot  to  pass  harmlessly  over  them. 
Hill  was  impatient  to  begin,  but,  as  the  line  was  not  formed,  he 
obeyed  the  advice  of  his  men,  and  dismounted,  but,  instead  of 
going  to  the  rear,  he  quietly  leaned  upon  his  horse's  neck,  and 
criticised  the  enemy's  fire. 

As  the  various  brigades  moved  into  line,  driving  all  before 
them,  our  line  of  fire  seemed  to  be  more  than  a  mile  in  extent, 
though  Iluger  and  Whiting,  on  the  right  and  left,  had  not  yet 
used  a  cartridge.  The  enemy  now  began  to  move  forward  his  , 
infantry,  mistaking  our  inaction  for  indecision,  but  was  severely 
punished  ;  for  as  our  men  received  orders  they  moved  forward 
in  solid  line,  presenting  an  unbroken  sheet  of  musketry  fire.  As 
there  were  no  earthworks  to  the  right  and  left  of  our  advance,  it 
was  determined  to  flank  and  attack  their  centre. 

One  of  our  batteries  now  opportunely  appeared  in  the  open, 
and  beginning  to  work  vigorously,  drew  upon  it  the  fire  of  the 
enemy.  Taking  advantage  of  this,  several  of  our  regiments 


240  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

crept  through  the  low  brushwood  in  front  of  the  redoubt,  and 
at  a  given  signal  from  the  flanking  parties,  made  a  rush  for  the 
guns,  cleared  them,  and,  entering  pell-mell  into  the  earthwork? 
bayoneted  all  who  opposed  them.  The  guns,  both  inside  and 
outside  the  work,  were  all  captured. 

Eapidly  re-forming,  though  under  fire  of  new  works  which 
opened  in  all  'directions,  we  once  more  advanced,  and  this  we 
did  again  and  again  on  various  points,  until  about  3  P.M.,  when 
the  battle  raged  with  great  fury.  Additional  pieces  were  arriv- 
ing to  assist  us,  but  their  progress  was  very  slow  on  account  of 
the  roads,  which  were  beyond  all  description  boggy,  and  broken 
by  immense  mud-puddles,  half  drowning  the  unfortunate  cannon- 
iers,  and  upsetting  caissons  and  ambulances.  It  was  impossible, 
of  course,  to  go  through  the  woods,  and  as  Casey's  first  line  of 
defence  was  broken,  troops  and  ammunition  wagons  were  all 
moving  to  and  fro  along  this  one  miserable  narrow  road  in  the 
greatest  confusion.  The  enemy's  position  and  camps,  to  my 
great  surprise,  I  found  comparatively  dry,  the  water  having 
drained  off.  Pleased  with  the  firm,  level  ground,  our  mud-cov- 
ered men  of  the  Lynchburgh  battery  now  lashed  their  horses 
into  a  gallop,  and  dashed  off  through  Casey's  camps  to  the  front 
with  a  wild  cheer. 

The  line  formed  by  our  men  now  advancing  through  and  past 
the  camps  to  attack  fresh  positions,  which  vomited  shell  and 
grape  upon  us,  was  truly  magnificent.  I  recognized  Anderson, 
with  Louisianians,  North- Carolinians,  etc.;  Jenkins  with  his 
South-Carolinians ;  Wilcox  and  Pryor,  with  Mississippians  and 
Alabamians.  Floridans,  Mississippians,  and  Georgians  had 
opened  the  fight,  and,  after  resting,  were  advancing  again ;  so 
that  when  their  unearthly  yells  rang  from  wing  to  wing,  the 
enemy  stopped  firing  for  a  moment,  and  suddenly  reopened 
again  with  terrific  fury.  Their  vigorous  onslaught  told  plainly 
that  Casey  had  brought  up  Sedgwick,  Palmer,  and  other  divi- 
sions, and  was  calculating  much  upon  the  impassability  of  abattis 
that  covered  the  front  of  his  batteries  and  earthworks.  Busy  as  I 
was,  dashing  about  from  point  to  point,  it  was  impossible  to  learn 
what  regiments  were  yelling  so  much  in  this  place,  or  keeping 
up  such  incessant  musketry  fire  in  that;  all  that  I  could  perceive 
was,  that  their  masses  of  infantry,  though  brought  into  action 
with  much  ability,  precision,  and  neatness,  never  pretended  to 


WHITING'S  ATTACK.  241 

offer  us  much  resistance,  but  gradually  fell  back,  or  broke  into 
confusion  after  a  few  volleys,  when  our  men  yelled  and  charged- 
Their  resistance,  however,  was  much  stouter  than  at  first,  and 
they  did  not  seem  to  place  so  much  reliance  on  their  earthworks, 
which  now  successively  fell  into  our  hands,  with  scores  of  dead 
lying  in  and  around  them  in  all  directions. 

It  was  now  about  four  o'clock,  and  Longstreet's  corps,  under 
D.  H.  Hill,  had  driven  the  enemy  a  mile  through  their  camps, 
capturing  prisoners,  stores,  cannon,  flags,  redoubts,  and  whole 
camps  of  tents  still  standing.  Still  the  fight  continued  with  great 
fury.  In  fact,  the  attack  down  the  Williamsburgh  road  had  been 
so  vigorously  pushed  that  we  were  far  in  advance  of  our  general 
line,  and  our  attack  seemed  to  be  triangular,  Whiting  and  Huger 
having  attempted  nothing  right  or  left.  It  was  apparent  also 
that  we  had  progressed  too  far,  and  the  enemy  pushed  forward 
a  large  force,  against  which  our  exhausted  men  could  not  suc- 
cessfully contend.  Determined  to  hold  the  ground  until  re-en- 
forced, our  troops  occupied  several  of  the  enemy's  field-works, 
turned  the  captured  guns  upon  them,  and  by  murderous  dis- 
charges of  musketry  succeeded  in  checking  their  advance.  By 
this  time  it  was  nearly  dark,  and  GeneraJ  Johnston  determined  to 
move  up  Whiting  on  the  left,  in  order  to  draw  off  some  portion 
of  the  enemy's  force.  This  movement  relieved  the  pressure  on 
Longstreet  and  Hill,  who,  reenforced  and  rested,  advanced  again, 
and  drove  the  enemy  entirely  off  Barker's  Farm  and  the  sur- 
rounding openings  into  the  woods. 

Whiting's  attack  now  absorbed  their  whole  attention.  As  we 
had  advanced  too  far  from  our  general  line,  they  thought  to 
attack  Longstreet  .on  the  left  flank  and  rear ;  but  this  was  antici- 
pated, and  retiring  with  loss,  they  paid  undivided  attention  to 
Whiting,  who  was  advancing  through  the  woods  parallel  with 
and  not  far  from  the  railroad.  It  was  much  too  late  for  this  at- 
tack to  have  been  begun,  and  the  approach  of  darkness  made 
any  important  result  impossible.  Cannonading,  however,  went 
on  fiercely,  and  it  was  deemed  possible  that  a  large  battery  in 
the  woods  might  fall  into  our  hands ;  but  the  space  all  around  it 
had  been  cleared  of  timber,  and  the  ground  was  so  swampy  that 
the  work  seemed  to  be  placed  on  a  small  island.  The  T^ennes- 
seeans  moved  forward  and  drove  back  the  infantry ;  our  artillery 
progressed  slowly  up  a  miry  lane,  and  were  compelled  to  fight 
16 


242  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

at  every  turn.  Johnston  and  his  staff  rode  to  the  front,  and 
while  ordering  an  attack,  a  battery  opened  from  a  thicket,  and  a 
piece  of  shell  wounded  him  severely  in  the  groin :  the  shock 
stunned  him,  he  fell  from  his  horse,  broke  two  of  his  ribs,  and 
was  conveyed  from  the  field  with  little  hope  of  recovery. 

The  Tennesseeans  charged  through  the  woods,  dispersing  the 
infantry,  and  advancing  to  the  battery  through  water  up  to  their 
middle,  took  it,  but  had  to  retire  for  want  of  support.  By  this 
time  it  had  become  so  dark  that  it  was  impossible  to  proceed 
farther ;  the  flash  of  artillery  was  incessant ;  shells  screamed 
through  the  air  in  luminous  flight,  and,  bursting,  made  a  beauti- 
ful pyrotechnic  display  ;  but  it  was  impossible  for  our  infantry 
to  feel  their  way  in  the  gloom,  The  enemy's  musketry  flashed 
in  the  darkness  like  sheets  of  flame ;  but  their  fire,  except  in  so 
far  as  it  served  to  protect  the  flanks  of  their  batteries,  was  a  mere 
waste  of  ammunition.  Keyes  commanded  the  Federals  at  this 
point,  and  had  prepared  his  line  with  great  precision  and  care  ;* 
but  had  Whiting  commenced  earlier,  there  can  be  no  doubt  he 
would  have  driven  them  on  a  line  with  Longstreet's  advance 
down  the  Williamsburgh  road.  As  it  was,  the  latter  officer,  with 
Hill  as  coadjutor,  had  made  a  fearful  gap  in  the  left  wing  of  the 
enemy,  but  without  producing  any  decisive  .result.  We  had 
gained  a  battle,  but  nothing  more. 

As  I  rode  down  through  the  enemy's  camps,  gazing  at  the 
destruction  on  every  side,  I  met  Franks,  one  of  Longstreet's 
aids,  looking  as  blue  as  indigo.  "  What's  the  matter,  Franks  ? 
Not  satisfied  with  the  day's  work?"  I  inquired.  "Satisfied, 
be  hanged !"  he  replied.  "  I  saw  old  Jeff,  (Davis,)  Mallory, 
Longstreet,  Whiting,  and  all  of  them,  a  little  while  ago,  looking  , 
as  mad  as  thunder.  Just  to  think  that  Huger's  slowness  has 
spoiled  every  thing !  There  he  has  been  on  our  right  all  day 
and  hasn't  fired  a  shot,  although  he,  had  positive  orders  to  open 
the  fight  at  eight  o'clock  this  morning.  It  is  true  that  Long- 
street  and  Hill  fought  magnificently,  as  they  always  do,  and 

*  General  Erastus  D.  Keyes,  United  States  army,  is  from  the  State  of  Maine ; 
entered  the  service  as  brevet  Second  Lieutenant  Third  Artillery,  July  first,  1832  ; 
and  in  1861  was  Major  First  Artillery,  commission  dating  October  twelfth,1858.  He 
has  riseij  rapidly  during  the  war,  and  is  about  forty -five  years  of  age.  His  division 
behaved  well  at  "Seven  Pines,"  and  although  General  Whiting  assailed  it  furiously,  ' 
was  so  well  placed  and  protected  by  batteries  that  all  our  efforts  were  of  little  avail. 


THE  FIELD  OF  BATTLE.  243 

t 

have  gained  a  brilliant  victory ;  but  had  Huger  obeyed  orders, 
we  should  have  demolished  the  enemy ;  as  it  is,  their  left  is 
routed  and  demoralized,  and  we  have  gained  nothing  more 
substantial  than  a  brilliant  battle,  when  it  was  intended  to 
have  embraced  an  attack  at  three  points,  and  all  along  the 
line,  if  the  enemy  accepted  it  Johnston  is  wounded,  you 
know,  but  is  awfully  mad  about  the  miscarriage  of  his  plans ; 
the  doctors  say  he  will  recover.  Just  to  think  that  our  best 
generals  will  poke  themselves  in  the  front — Sydney  Johnston 
was  lost  in  that  way,  and  I  have  seen  both  Longstreet  and  Hill 
foolishly  riding  in  front  of  the  enemy  not  less  than  a  dozen 
times  to-day.  Hill  must  be  a  shadow  or  an  immortal,  for  he 
exposed  himself  often  enough  to  get  his  quietus  a  dozen  times 
to-day."  My  friend  rode  away  towards  Eichmond,  and  I  to 
the  captured  camp. 

Teams  were  already  hauling  away  cannon,  stores,  tents,  and 
other  booty ;  ambulances  by  the  dozen  were  slowly  moving  off 
to  the  rear ;  while  stretcher-bearers,  in  long,  solemn  procession, 
conveyed  away  the  wounded  men  to  temporary  field-hospitals. 
Lamps  flitted  about  in  all  directions,  camp-fires  were  burning, 
and  men  cooking  supper  from  the  abundance  of  all  things 
found  in  tents  and  commissary  stores.  General  Casey's  effects 
were  all  seized,  including  his  wardrobe  and  private  papers. 
His  mess-table  stood,  as  it  had  been  left  ready  for  dinner ;  the 
plates  and  cups  untouched;  beds,  bedding,  camp  furniture, 
desks,  clothing,  arms,  provisions,  stationery,  and  all  things  in 
abundance  were  found,  including  a  hundred  barrels  of  whisky, 
which  had  already  been  tapped,  and  half  emptied  by  our  weary 
men.  Prisoners  were  coming  in  every  minute ;  dead  and 
wounded  lined  the  roads,  or  lay  scattered  through  the  fields 
and  woods,  and,  as  night  advanced,  their  moaning  was  distress- 
ing to  hear.  Every  thing  of  use  or  value  was  soon  conveyed  to 
the  rear,  and  long  before  morning  little  remained  on  Barker's 
farm,  save  the  wounded,  the  dying,  and  the  dead,  piles  of  old 
clothes,  and  general  rubbish  unfit  to  be  conveyed  away.  Our 
own  wounded  were  rapidly  conveyed  to  Richmond  by  ambu- 
lances, private  carriages,  and  the  railroad-trains,  which  ran  all 
night  without  interruption. 

As  morning  approached,  every  thing  was  prepared  for  the 
reception  of  the  enemy,  should  they  advance;  but  General 


244  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

t 

Pryor  and  others,  who  held  the  battle-field,  were  ordered  to 
fell  back  to  our  original  position,  should  they  attack  in  force. 
Several  who  deserted  the  enemy  under  cover  of  the  darkness, 
informed  us  that  Heintzelman,  Sumner,  and  others  had  arrived ; 
the  former  being  second  in  command  to  McClellan,  who  was 
also  present,  and  intended  to  "  push "  us.  When  morning 
broke,  the  pickets  opened  in  a  lively  manner  upon  each  other, 
and  the  attack  began.  Pryor's  troops  were  of  such  excellent 
metal  that  they  refused  to  fall  back,  and  it  was  not  until  after 
they  had  thrashed  twice  their  own  number,  and  were  in  danger 
of  being  flanked,  that  they  quietly  fell  back  across  the  farm. 
The  enemy  did  not  follow ;  and  Pryor's  men  sullenly  occupied 
their  old  ground,  south  of  the  battle-field ;  none  but  a  strong 
picket-guarfl  being  left  to  hold  the  place.  Next  morning 
(Monday)  the  enemy  occupied  Casey's  camp-ground  again,  but 
betrayed  no  inclination  to  accept  our  invitations  to  advance 
nearer  Richmond.  «. 

While  this  was  progressing  on  Sunday,  down  the  Williams- 
burgh  road,  the  enemy  endeavored  to  dislodge  Whiting's  ad- 
vance, near  the  railroad,  from  the  ground  captured  the  evening 
before.  A  lively  fight  was  the  consequence,  during  which  our 
forces  withdrew  to  their  original  lines,  whither  the  enemy  dared 
not  follow.  This  latter  skirmish  was  productive  of  little  good, 
and  we  lost  several  promising  regimental  officers,  including  the 
brave  Lomax,  Colonel  of  the  Third  Alabama  Volunteers — a 
man  whose  brilliant  promise  was  worth  a  hundred  such  com- 
bats. If  Huger  had  been  tardy  in  his  movements  down  the 
Charles  City  road  on  Saturday,  he  was  stirring  and  lively 
enough  on  Whiting's  left  in  this  fight,  and  must  have  marched 
his  men  unmercifully  through  the  mud.  He  looked  hale  and 
hearty,  and  laughed  good-humoredly  as  his  advance  moved  into 
the  woods,  preparatory  to  the  engagement.  His  attack,  how- 
ever, was  countermanded,  and  the  whole  line  assumed  its 
original  position,  to  lie  idly  on  their  arms  for  another  month. 

Our  army  seemed  little  affected  by  this  victory ;  it  did  not 
cause  any  confusion  or  laxity  whatever,  and  except  for  about 
half  a  mile  square,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Williamsburgh  road, 
there  was  little  to  disturb  the  peace  and  quiet  of  our  lines  in 
the  sunshine  of  Sunday  morning.  Except  for  the  ambulances 
and  carriages,  conveying  away  the  wounded  to  Richmond,  there 


ADDEESS  OF  PRESIDENT  DAVIS.  245 

was  little  to  indicate  the  slaughter  of  twelve  thousand  Federals 
the  day  Before.  Our  own  actual  loss  was  not  more  than  a  third 
of  that  number,  incredible  as  it  may  seem.*  There  was  much 
inquiry  among  the  soldiers  at  other  parts  of  the  line  regarding 
the  particulars  of  the  engagement,  but  the  victory  was  looked 

*  General  Johnston  eays,  in  his  report:  "We  took  ten  pieces  of  cannon,  six 
thousand  stand  of  arms,  one  garrison  flag,  four  stand  of  regimental  colors,  a  large 
number  of  tents,  besides  much  camp  equipage  and  stores.  Our  loss  was  four  thou- 
sand two  hundred  and  eighty-two  killed,  wounded  and  missing ;  that  of  the  enemy 
is  stated  by  their  journals  to  have,  been  ten  thousand,  although,  no  doubt,  that 
figure  is  far  below  the  truth." 

In  the  following  address,  the  President,  from  his  own  personal  observation  and 
his  past  career,  has  shown  himself  to  be  a  judge  of  good  fighting,  for  none  have 
fought  more  bravely  than  himself.  Such  testimony  and  such  praise  will  appeal 
gratefully  to  the  feelings  and  pride  of  our  army,  and  will  excite  still  more  that 
affectionate  gratitude  for  them  which  animates  our  whole  land.  For  no  halting 
testimony  and  no  niggard  praise  does  the  President  pay  our  heroes:  "Nothing 
could  exceed  the  prowess  with  which  you  closed  upon  the  enemy,  when  a  sheet  of 
fire  was  blazing  in  your  faces !"  Noble  men !  The  President  says,  he  can  neither 
ask  nor  desire  any  thing  better : 

"  Executive  Office^  June  Zd,  1862. 
"To  THE  ARMY  OP  RICHMOND. 

"  I  render  to  you  my  grateful  acknowledgments  for  the  gallantry  and  good  con. 
duct  you  displayed  in  the  battles  of  the  thirty-first  of  May,  and  with  pride  and  pleas- 
ure recognize  the  steadiness  and  intrepidity  with  which  you  attacked  the  enemy  in 
position,  captured  his  advance  intrenchments,  several  batteries  of  artillery  and* 
many  standards,  and  everywhere  drove  him  from  the  open  field. 

"  At  a  part  of  your  operations  it  was  my  fortune  to  be  present.  On  no  other 
occasion  have  I  witnessed  more  of  calmness  and  good  order  than  you  exhibited 
while  advancing  into  the  very  jaws  of  death,  and  nothing  could  surpass  the  prowess 
with  which  you  closed  upon  the  enemy  when  a  sheet  of  fire  was  blazing  in  your 
faces ! 

"  In  the  struggle  in  which  you  are  on  the  eve  of  engaging,  I  ask,  and  can  desire, 
but  a  continuance  of  the  same  conduct  which  now  attracts  the  admiration  and  pride 
of  the  loved  ones  you  have  left  at  home. 

"  You  are  fighting  for  all  that  is  dearest  to  men ;  and  though  opposed  to  a  foe 
who  disregards  many  of  the  usages  of  civilized  war,  your  humanity  to  the  wounded 
and  the  prisoners  was  the  fit  and  crowning  glory  to  your  valor. 

"  Defenders  of  a  just  cause,  may  God  iiave  you  in  his  keeping. 

"JEFFERSON  DAVIS," 

"  The  General  will  cause  the  above  to  be  read  to  the  troops  under  his  command.11 

The  following,  printed  in  extremely  large  type,  appeared,  by  General  Butler's 
orders,  in  his  organ,  the  New-Orleans  Delta,  June  twelfth,  1862:  "On  May  thirty- 
first,  Richmond  was  evacuated,  and  General  McClellon  took  possession  of  the  city ! 
General  Banks  had  driven  Stonewall  Jackson  headlong  to  the  foot  of  General 
McDowell,  who  before  this  had  probably  kicked  him  over  the  border.  So  end  the 
drama ! — it  is  enough  "  (!)  Comment  is  unnecessary. 


24-6  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

upon  as  a  matter  of  course.  Notwithstanding  the  vigilance  of 
guards,  many  persons  from  Richmond  rode  out  to  see  the  field, 
but  invariably  brought  something  for  the  wounded,  and  took 
one  or  more  to  town  in  their  conveyances ;  oftentimes  pro v  id- 
ing  for  them  in  their  homes,  tending  them  with  paternal  care, 
and  paying  private  surgeons  to  treat  them  rather  than  allow 
them  to  be  roughly  handled  in  the  Government  hospitals.  Too 
much  praise  cannot  be  bestowed  on  the  noble-hearted  Virgin- 
ians, male  and  (particularly)  female,  who  were  ever  ready  with 
open  arms  to  succor  the  poor,  ragged,  bleeding  Southern  boy, 
fresh  from  the  field  of  victory ;  for  had  many  of  us  been  sons 
rather  than  strangers  to  them,  their  care,  comforts,  watchful- 
ness, and  Christian  charity  could  not  have  been  greater.  The 
loving  care  and  kindness  bestowed  on  our  unprepossessing, 
ragged  soldiery  can  never  be  effaced  from  the  memory  of  any 
who  saw  it  on  this  and  numerous  other  trying  occasions. 


CHAPTER  XXVTL 

Farther  Details  of  the  Chickahominy  Battle — Longstreet  succeeds  to  the  Com- 
mand— General  Lee  the  acknowledged  Chief— Skirmish  at  Fair  Oaks,  an  Epi. 
eode — Gossip  of  Officers — Scenes  and  Incidents  of  the  Battle — Our  Negro  Serv- 
ants— The  Louisiana  Zouaves — Brigadier-General  Jenkins  and  the  South-Caro 
linians— Care  of  our  Wounded  in  Richmond — Hospital  Scenes. 

DURING  the  week  it.  was  confidently  expected  the  enemy 
would  marshal  their  forces,  and  make  a  rush  upon  us  in  retali- 
ation for  the  thrashing  we  had  given  them ;  and  to  be  prepared 
for  such  emergency,  our  Generals  held  their  troops  well  to- 
gether, and  the  utmost  circumspection  seemed  to  guide  all  plans 
and  dispositions  of  force.  Owing  to  the  frightful  gash  Johnston 
had  received,  the  command  devolved  on  Longstreet,  or  seemed 
to  do  so  by  common  consent,  for  though  Gustavus  Smith  and 
others,  perhaps,  ranked  before  him,  their  energies  were  taxed 
1n  offices  that  became  them  more  than  "  field  "  operations.  Lee 
was  now  seen  on  horseback  more  frequently,  and  scarcely  a 
day  passed  without  my  meeting  him  ambling  along  the  roads, 
and  in  all  kinds  of  out-of-the-way  places.  Though  naturally 
quiet,  thoughtful,  and  polite,  the  responsibility  resting  on  him 
rendered  his  deportment  even  more  so  than  usual,  and  had  a 
stranger  met  him,  his  manner  was  so  quiet  and  placid,  his  dress 
so  humble,  and  his  gait  so  slow  and  unofficial,  that  he  would 
never  have  recognized  in  him  one  whose  genius  and  resources 
commanded  the  unbounded  'confidence  and  hopes  of  the  na- 
tion.* Brigadiers,  with  couriers  and  orderlies  at  their  heels 
dashing  to  and  fro,  would  have  presented  a  much  more  im- 
pressive idea  of  importance  and  dignity,  than  the  meek,  gray, 
haired  gentleman  who  passed  us  a  few  nAnutes  before,  with, 
out  uniform,  or  blazing  stars  on  his  shoulder-straps,  or  dis. 
tinctive  color. 

*  It  was  evident  that  Longstreet  was  chief  in  the  field  only' until  Lee  should 
vacate  his  rooms  in  the  War  Office,  and  permanently  assume  command. 


2f8  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE  SOUTH. 

Alarms  were  frequent  during  the  week,  both  night,  and  day, 
and  the  Texans  under  Hood,  down  the  railroad,  and  Wright's 
Louisianians  and  Georgians,  down  the  Williamsburgh  road, 
were  continually  popping  at  the  enemy.  These  skirmishes 
were  not  of  an  important  character,  but  since  McClellan  and 
the  Northern  press  have  manufactured  out  of  them  "a  bril- 
liant victory,"  which  they  term  "  Fair  Oaks,"  it  is  necessary  to 
give  the 'reader  some  idea  of  an  affair  our  men  never  termed 
more  than  a  skirmish. 

Some  few  days  after  the  battle  of  "  Chickahominy  "  or  "  Seven 
Pines,"  the  enemy  in  possession  of  the  old  battle-ground  va- 
cated by  us  gave  it  to  "  Sickles's  "  notorious  brigade  to  hold? 
and  to  signalize  -their  occupation  they  attempted  to  drive  in 
our  pickets.  The  First  Louisiana  were  then  in  front,  and 
learning  that,  the  New- York  "roughs"  were  in  the  vicinity, 
and  occupied  a  small  copse  to  the  right  of  the  road,  and  south 
of  Barker's  Farm,  a  plan  was  formed  to  advance,  and  drive 
them  away.  Without  consulting  General  Wright,  eight  com- 
panies of  this  regiment  assailed  Sickles's  men,  and  though  the  . 
enemy  were  superior  in  number,  they'tirove  them  out  of  the 
thicket  with  much  loss.  Enraged  at  their  rough  treatment, 
Sickles's  warriors,  being  reenforced,  advanced  again,  but  were. 
a  second  time  repulsed.  It  was  an  unimportant  affair,  and  as 
the  ground  was  not  necessary  to  us,  the  Louisianians  retired 
to  their  former  position,  and  nothing  was  said  or  thought  about 
the  matter.  Several  of  their  pickets  were  subsequently  cap- 
tured, who  informed  us  that  Sickles's  "roughs"  and  Meagher's 
"  Irish  brigade  "  swore  to  be  revenged. 

Several  days  after,  a  North-Carolina  regiment,  not  three  days 
from  home,  which  never  drew  trigger,  were  sent  out  on  picket, 
and  occupied  the  left  of  the  road  near  Sickles's  brigade ;  the 
Louisianians  were  on  the  right,  in  their  old  picket-grounds,  and 
a  Georgia  regiment  still  farther  to  the  right.  General  Wright's 
orders  were  to  hold  their  positions,  and,  if  attacked,  reenforce- , 
ments  should  be  forthcoming.  Sickles's  men  seemed  to  invite 
a  combat,  and  the  gallant  Louisianians,  nothing  loth,  advanced, 
drove  in  their  outposts,  occupied  the  thicket,  and  were  advanc- 
ing into  the  open  ground  after  them,  when  three  full  brigades 
stood  in  view.  The  Louisianians,  scorning  to  retire,  were  assail- 
ed with  great  fury,  while  flanking  regiments  moved  on  the 


SKIRMISH  AT  FAIR  OAKS.  249 

right  and  left  of  the  thicket,  and  waited  for  their  retreat.  Find- 
ing themselves  overpowered,  the  Louisianians  fell  back  through 
the  wood,  were  followed  up,  and  had  to  sustain  a  three-sided 
fire.  Having  secured  themselves  behind  a  fence,  they  con- 
tinued the  fight,  expecting  the  arrival  of  reenforcements  every 
minute.  The  North-Carolinians  on  the  left,  though  perfectly 
raw,  sustained  an  unequal  musketry  fire  for  three  hours,  and 
gave  not  an  inch  of  ground.  The  same  may  be  said  of  the 
Georgians  on  the  right. 

Seeing  that  our  men  were  not  reenforced,  the  enemy  en- 
deavored to  get  farther  on  our  right,  flank,  and  rear,  by  march- 
ing two  regiments  through y  the  woods.  But  a  Georgia  regi- 
ment, (the  Fourth,)  hearing  the  continual  fire,  marched  on  our 
right  through  the  woods  to  succor  their  brigade  companions — 
the  Louisianians — and,  having  a  strong  affection  for  them,  were 
maddened  to  think  they  had  been  played  such  a  trick  and 
overpowered.  This  flanking  party  had  not  progressed  far  ere 
they  unexpectedly  came-  upon  the  Yankees  quietly  taking 
ground  on  our  right  and  rear.  A  volley  was  instantly  given, 
and  a  charge 'ordered.  The  enemy  were  amazed;  they  were 
on  our  ground,  and  we  on  theirs ;  the  fight  was  of  but  a  few 
moments'  duration,  for  the  Federals  fled,  but,  not  knowing  our 
exact  position  in  the  woods,  came  across  several  small  partieSj 
who  slew  them  as  they  ran.  The  Georgians  were  fearfully  ex- 
cited on  this  occasion,  and,  disobeying  all  orders,  rushed  after 
the  enemy,  and  often  transfixed  them  to  the  earth.  This  affair 
was  very  short,  but  the  carnage  great,  and  occurring  accident- 
ally, aggravated  the  rage  of  the  Georgians  to  an  uncontroll  able 
degree.  This  charge  seemed  to  settle  the  affair.  Sickles, 
Meagher,  and  others,  were  disappointed,  and  retired  very  early 
to  their  original  position,  ours  being  exactly  the  same  as  in  the 
morning.  I  should  hardly  have  mentioned  this  affair  in  con- 
nection with  "Seven  Pines,"/fought  but  a  few  days  before,  but 
as  the  Northern  press  required  some  new  "  sensation  "  to  coun- 
teract the  effects  of  Casey's  annihilation,  McClellan  accommo- 
dated them  with  a  flaming  and  false  account  of  this  skirmish 
if  I  mistake  not,  he  called  it  "the  Battle  of  Fair  Oaks,"  but  .the 
occurrence  was  really  as  here  described,  for  I  was  on  the  ground 
and' witnessed  it  from  first  to  last. 

I  had  been  to  Richmond,  anji  was  returning  to  camp,  but, 


250  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF   THE   SOUTH. 

passing  down  the  Nine  Mile  Road,  stopped  at  an  old  wooden 
church,  which  had  been  converted  into  quarters  by  one  of  the 
Generals.  While  lighting  a  cigar  at  a  fire  before  the  door,  I 
observed  a  black  boy  very  busy  with  soup  and  chicken,  and 
the  "odor  was  very  agreeable  and  enticing.  "  Whose  boy  are 
you '/"  I  inquired  of  the  negro,  as  he  handed  me  a  live  coal. 
"Why,  Lor  bress  you,  Massa  Tom!  doesn't  you  know  dis 
darkey  ?  Massa  Frank  is  here,  and  all  of  them  I"  But  before  I 
could  be  gone,  Frank  came  clanking  along  with  his  heavy  spurs^ 
and  insisted  on  my  dismounting.  "  Recollect  we've  got  chick- 
ens, and  the  devil  knows  what  all,  for  supper,  so  tumble  down 
and  join  us  ;  you  can't  better  yourself  much,  these  times !" 

Without  more  ado,  I  hitched  the  mare  to  a  tree,  and  entered 
the  old  church,  which  I  found  converted  into  a  quartermaster's 
office,  with  a  party  of  officers  and  privates  engaged  in  cards. 
The  pulpit  was  gone,  the  windows  broken,  the  shutters  con- 
verted into  tables,  and  carpets  used  as  make-shifts  for  blankets 
and  bedding.  Soap-boxes  were  our  seats,  an  empty  hogshead 
was  turned  on  end  and  served  as  table,  and  an  excellent  sup- 
per was  soon  smoking  before  us.  "1  know  you  can't  '  go '  rye- 
coffee,  Tom,"  said  Frank,  but,  giving  me  a  sly  wink,  introduced 
me  to  a  bottle  containing  rye-whiskey.  Pipes  were  lit,  and 
cards  resumed,  but,  preferring  the  open  air,  several  of  us  sat  on 
the  doorsteps,  or  lolled  on  the  grass  round  the  fire,  and  were 
soon  busy  discussing  the  "  Chickahominy  "  fight,  or  "  Battle  of 
Seven  Pines,"  as  the  Yankees  term  it. 

"  How  came  it  to  be  called  '  Seven  Pines  ? '  "  asked  some  one. 

"  From  Federal  accounts,"  said  a  grey -haired  paymaster ;  "  it 
seems  there  were  discovered  seven  pine  trees  standing  apart  in 
an  open  field  near  Casey's  head- quarters,  and  his  encampment 
was  called  so  after  them.  'Tis  a  pretty  name  enough,  but  I 
think,  as  we  defeated  them  so  utterly,  they  should  have  left 
naming  the  field  to  us.  It  would  have  looked  more  modest- 
Johnston  calls  it  the  '  Battle  of  Chickahominy,'  from  the  river 
that  runs  across  our  front  and  to  their  rear.  It  was  up  this  river 
that  the  celebrated  Captain  John  Smith  sailed  when  captured 
by  Indians  in  early  days.  These  banks  were  the  hunting- 
grounds  of  pretty  Pocahontas  who  saved  his  life.  The  story 
would  read  better  had  Smith  married  the  poor  lass." 


FALSEHOODS  OP  McCLELLAN.  251 

"  Well,"  said  another,  "  the  locality  is  forever  famous,  but  I 
see  that  McClellan,  as  usual,  claims  it  as  a  '  victory.' " 

"  You  were  not  foolish  enough  to  suppose  he  would  com- 
mence telling  the  truth  at  this  stage  of  proceedings  ?  It  is  true 
he  is  the  best  man  they  have,  but  when  the  North,  displeased 
with  Scott's  defeat,  were  beating  about  for  a  successor,  had  not 
McClellan  fed  the  national  vanity  by  sending  naming  '  sensa- 
tion '  despatches  about  his  defeat  of  Pegram  at  Rich  Mountain, 
"Western  Virginia,  they  would  never  have  given  him  a  thought ; 
for  it  must  be  confessed  politicians  do  not  seek  out  and  reward 
true  merit,  while  any  dependents  remain  unprovided  for. 
McClellan  has  attained  his  present  flattering  position  by  false- 
hood, and  will  seek  to  maintain  it  in  the  same  manner.  False- 
hood is  their  settled  plan  of  action.  You  remember  the  col- 
umn of  lies  that  appeared  after  Manassas,  Leesburgh,  etc. 

"  They  have  the  most  fertile  imaginations  of  any  race  on  the 
globe,  and  could  battles  be  fought  on  paper,  and  with  woodcuts, 
instead  of  powder  and  sabre-cuts,  the  Herald,  Times,  Tribune, 
together  with  Harper's  and  Leslie's  illustrated  papers,  would 
settle  the  business  in  gallant  style.  Their  illustrations  are  cer- 
tainly the  most  extraordinary  productions  of  the  age ;  \t  suits 
the  multitude,  '  pays '  well,  no  doubt,  and  that  is  all  any  of 
them  care  for — they  would  squeeze  a  dollar  until  the  eagle 
howled." 

"  I  think  the  prisoners  we  took,"  said  the  major,  "  could  give 
a  version  of  '  Seven  Pines '  rather  different  from  that  published 
by  McClellan.  When  Stone  failed,  and  Baker  fell  at  Lees 
burgh,  McClellan  was  indignant  at  the  idea  that  he  was  said  to 
have  ordered  their  unfortunate  advance.  Baker  was  dead  and 
could  not  speak ;  Stone,  who  could  speak,  was  immediately  in- 
carcerated in  Fort  Warren.  If  the  commander  in-chief  did 
not  order  that  movement,  who  did  ?  Casey  is  accused  of  im- 
becility and  cowardice  because  he  has  suffered  a  defeat,  and  is 
now  moved  to  the  rear.  But  this  system  of  falsehood  and 
hypocrisy  cannot  last  long,  although  I  believe  if  the  enemy 
were  '  whipped  out  of  their  boots '  they  would  still  shout  '  vic- 
tory, victory,'  as  loudly  as  ever. 

"  There  is  no  doubt  that  poor  old  Casey  was  sadly  out-gene- 
railed  and  beaten  by  Johnston,  but  had  not  our  attack  been 
delayed  on  the  right  and  left,  we  should  have  driven  them  all 


252  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

into  the  river.  Did  you  hear  that  we  captured  Casey's  private 
papers,  public  documents,  etc.  ?  It  is  so.  A  young  man  in 
the  Twelfth  Mississippi  seized  them  and  gave  them  to  Whiting. 
Though  the  capture  was  important,  and  effected  at  great  peri], 
the  youth  has  never  been  complimented." 

"  Speaking  of  that  regiment,"  said  another,  "  I  saw  great 
bravery  in  one  of  their  cooks.  The  darkies,  as  usual,  would  not 
remain  in  camp,  but  marched  out  with  the  rest,  and  fought 
behind  their  masters.  When  General  Ehodes  had'  pushed  the 
enemy  through  their  camps,  capturing  breastworks  as  he  went, 
a  ball  struck  him  in  the  arm,  and  he  became  faint  from  loss  of 
blood.  As  it  seemed  a  critical  moment,  he  refused  to  leave  the 
field,  but  still  cheered  on  his  men  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 
1  Archie,'  a  black  boy,  volunteered  to  go  for  water  and  band- 
ages, and,  mounting  a  horse,  plunged  along  across  the  line  of 
fire,  and  soon  returned.  The  general  was  much  relieved,  and 
remounted.  The  enemy  were  now  bringing  forward  their 
reserves,  and  as  no  reenforcements  appeared  to  our  rear,  it 
seemed  that,  weary  though  all  were,  we  should  be  compelled 
to  '  stick  it  out.'  Falling  back  into  one  of  the  redoubts,  Rhodes 
turned  the  captured  guns  on  their  late  owners,  but  his  men 
were  failing  fast  from  fatigue  and  want  of  ammunition. 
Although  the  enemy  maintained  a  fierce  triangular  fire",  he 
defied  all  efforts  to  dislodge  him,  and  was  lost  in  volumes  of 
smoke.  { Archie,' perceiving  that  his  company  was  short  of 
cartridge,  volunteered  to  run  the  gauntlet  and  make  his  way  to 
the  rear.  The  distance  was  fully  a  mile,  but  this  brave  boy 
ran  rapidly  along,  filled  half-a-dozen  haversacks,  and  brought 
back  several  well-filled  cartridge-boxes  found  on  the  way.  He 
had  scarcely  re-entered  the  redoubt  when  a  fierce  clatter  of 
musketry  told  the  advance  of  our  supports,  and  the  day  was 
ours.  The  darkies,  generally,  behaved  like  trumps,  but  this 
case  came  under  my  owa  observation.  Ben,  there,  smoking 
and  grinning  among  the  pots,  had  a  hand  in  it,  and  has  a  full 
suit  of  regimentals,  somewhere,  taken  out  of  their  tents  !  But 
if  you  ever  let  all  the  soup  boil  way  again,  sir,"  said  the  major, 
smiling,  "  and  run  off  to  the  fight,  somebody's  head  will  feel 
sore,  Ben !" 

Ben  chuckled,  and  said  he  "  didn't  care  for  de  Yanks,  no- 


FEDERAL    PRISONERS.  253 

how ;  dey  was  no  'count  anyways,  'cept  make  a  big  noise ; 
couldn't  hit  a  squirrel  in  a  year,  he  didn't  believe."  The  sound 
of  a  fiddle  and  darkies  dancing  to  the  rear  of  the  church  led 
Ben  away,  and  the  conversation  continued. 

The  appearance  of  the  prisoners  was  very  dejected,  and  little 
information  could  be  extracted  from  any  of  them.  I  saw  one 
tall,  hard-fisted  Alabamian  carrying  a  stand  of  captured  colors, 
and  conducting  some  cfozen  Pennsylvanians  from  the  field, 
including  the  standard-bearer.  The  latter  seemed  contented 
with  his  fate,  and  joked  good-humoredly  about  the  fortunes  of 
the  battle.  "He  wouldn't  have  surrendered,"  he  said,  "but 
found  himself  surrounded  by  three  regiments,  and  gave  up 
instantly  to  the  first  man  that  appeared."  The  Alabamian 
denied  this  stoutly  but  jocularly ;  observing,  in  a  whisper :  "  I 
found  him  sitting  upon  the  colors  behind  a  tree.  Although  I 
was  alone,  he  made  no  resistance,  but  marched  very  quietly  to 
the  rear,  anticipations,  of  our  tobacco- warehouses  having  no 
terrors  for  him." 

"During  the  fight,"  said  one,  "I  was  much  amused  at  the 
coolness  of  St.  Paul's  Louisiana  Zouaves.  They  stood  in  line 
with  North  and  South-Carolinians,  but  were  very  restive, 
because  ordered  to  lie  down  in  the  brushwood  and  wait  for 
orders.  Their  red  breeches  were  a  conspicuous  mark  for  the 
enemy,  but  they  lay  so  low,  and  kept  up  such  a  lively  fire,  that 
the  enemy  would  not  advance.  '  Well,  boys,'  said  General 
Anderson,  riding  up,  '  the  enemy  are  before  us,  and  in  strong 
force  !'  '  Did  you  say,  "  Charge  them,"  general  ?'  asked  Good- 
win, their  commander.  '  Yes,  boys,'  replied  Anderson,  '  re- 
member Butler  and  New-Orleans,  and  drive  them  into  h — 11 !' 
No  sooner  said  than  done.  This  handful  of  determined  men 
crept  through  the  chapparal,  until  within  fifty  yards  of  the  foe, 
and  although  exposed  to  a  cross-fire,  suddenly  rose,  rushed 
with  a  yell  upon  the  Pennsylvanians,  delivered  their  fire  at 
fifteen  paces,  and  routed  them  with  the  bayonet.  This  affair 
was  witnessed  by  the  whole  left,  but  none  comprehended  why 
so  few  should  have  attacked  so  many.  The  charge  was  a 
brilliant  but  mad  one,  and  the  Zouaves  suffered  loss,  for  the 
enemy,  discovering  the  smallness  of  their  number,  instantly  re- 
formed, and  poured  in  upon  them  a  destructive  fire.  Our  line 
instantly  moved  up,  however,  and  the  advance  was  again  re- 


254:  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

sumed.  I  afterwards  saw  some  of  these  Zouaves  conducting 
many  prisoners  to  the  rear,  dozens  being  bandaged  about  the 
head  and  arms. 

"  These  Louisianiaas  seem  to  be  great  epicures,  for  scarcely 
one  came  off  the  field  without  having  a  well-filled  haversack, 
and  a  canteen  of  liquor.  Where  or  how  they  got  these  things 
is  a  mystery,  yet  I  couldn't  help  noticing  that  many  of  the  en- 
emy were  so  affected  by  liquor,  as  to  *be  scarcely  able  to  walk. 
I  heard  one  of  the  Zouaves,  sitting  by  the  roadside,  bathing  his 
leg  in  a  mud-puddle,  swear  he  had  shot  four  men  that  day,  and 
would  not  grant  quarter  at  all :  their  cry  was,  '  Orleans  and 
Butler  the  Beast !'  They  gave  no  quarter,  and  expected  none. 
One  Lotfisianian,  while  drinking  at  a  spring,  was  shot  at ;  the 
Yankee  missed  fire,  and  then  approached  to  surrender.  '  I  do 
not  understand  you,'  said  the  Creole,  in  French,  and  despatched 
the  unfortunate  Dutchman  with  the  bayonet  This  sort  of  thing 
occurred  several  times  during  the  day ;  the  Louisianians  were 
so  exasperated  at  the  thought  that  thek  homes  were  possessed 
by  the  enemy,  that  they  all  seemed  to  be  blind  with  passion 
and  revenge.  Longstreet  personally  presented  a  fine  battle-flag 
to  this  battalion  a  few  days  since,  in  highly  complimentary 
terms." 

"  The  South-Carolinians  deserve  praise,"  remarked  some  one, 
"and  I  am  glad  that  Jenkins  displayed  himself  to  advantage  on 
that  occasion.  He  acted  as  brigadier,  and  I  do  not  see  why  the 
Secretary 'of  "War  does  not  make  him  a  general.  He  is  highly 
educated  in  military  matters,  and  far  surpasses  many  of  those 
political  generals  who  are  incessantly  blundering  among  us.* 

'  *  Brigadier-General  Jenkins  is  said  to  be  a  Northern  by  birth,  and  was  First  Lieu- 
tenant First  Artillery  in  the  old  service.  He  left  the  army,  and  was  principal  of  a 
flourishing  military  academy  near  Clmrleston  (South-Carolina)  when  the  war  broke 
out.  He  then  raised  a  company,  and  was  elected  Colonel  of  the  Fifth  Regi- 
ment 'from  that  State.  He  afterwards  recruited  a  regiment  fifteen  hundred 
strong,  called  the  "First  Palmetto  Sharpshooters."  His  conduct  during  the  whole 
war  in  Virginia  has  marked  him  as  a  very  superior  officer.  He  greatly  distinguish- 
ed himself  at  "  Williamsburgh,"  (May,  1862,)  and  commanded  a  brigade  at  "Seven 
Pines,"  where  his  generalship  was  loudly*  praised  even  by  Northern  journals.  Ho 
is  comparatively  young,  and  can  do  more  with  raw  troops,  or  recruits,  than  any  offi- 
cer I  have  seen  in  the  field,  rapidly  bringing  them  up  to  a  high  state  of  efficiency. 
He  has  been  wounded  several  times ;  but  as  long  as  'tis  possible  to  sit  in  the  saddle, 
so  long  will  he  lead,  and  his  fine  voice  can  be  heard  far  and  wide.  As  a  disciplina- 
rian, he  has  few  equals ;  and  even  when  cannon  are  roaring  in  front,  he  gallops 


CHARACTER  OF  THE  STRUGGLE.  255 

• 
\ 

The  Northern  papers  are  loud  in  their  praise  of  the  steady  man- 
ner in  which  his  troops  advanced  against  all  difficulties,  and 
marched  over  heavy  abattis  up  to  and  into  their  batteries.  It 
was  a  grand  sight,  indeed,  to  witness  that  memorable  advance. 
Nothing  could  stop  them ;  our  ranks  were  shattered  by  shell 
and  grape,  yet  the  gap  was  instantly  closed  up,  and  through 
swamp,  over  timber,  across  fields,  through  camps,  our  progress 
was  steady  and  uninterrupted  ;  officers  in  front,  and  men  cheer- 
ing and  yelling  like  an  army  of  demons.  It  is  said  that  D.  H. 
Hill  lost  many  men,  while  waiting  for  his  division  to  form,  but 
soon  made  the  enemy  repay  him  with,  interest ;  for  as  his  Ala- 
bamians,  Louisianians,  Mississippians,  and  Virginians  rushed 
from  the  woods  across  the  open,  in  splendid  order,  they  carried 
position  after  position  rapidly,  and  forced  the  fighting  at  a  kill- 
ing pace. 

"Do  you  know  I  think  our  artillery  acted  indifferently.  The 
truth  is,  we  could  not  bring  up  pieces  on  account  of  the  roads. 
Carter's  battery  did  good  execution ;  the  Lynchburgh  battery 
also.  They  drew  their,  pieces  by  hand  through,  the  woods  and 
along  those  boggy  roads,  and  opened  fire  at  twenty  yards.  I 
saw  our  guns  not  more  than  fifty  yards  distant  from  those  of  the 
enemy  on  several  occasions ;  and  when  the  fight  was  over  the 
pieces  stood  almost  muzzle  to  muzzle.  We  captured  over  a 
dozen  very  fine  pieces.  I  myself  counted  twelve,  and  superb 
brass  pieces  they  are — called  '  Napoleon '  guns,  I  believe." 
''What  should  you  say  the  general  loss  was?" 
"As  far  as  I  can  ascertain,"  said  the  major,  "  our  killed  and 
wounded  would  number  about  four  thousand — not  over  that — 
besides  a  few  dozen  prisoners  taken.  General  Hatton  was  kill- 
ed on  Saturday  evening  on  the  left.  You  must  recollect  that 
on  SaturcVty  morning  down  the  railroad  our  men  were  sur- 
prised, and  that,  together  with  a  few  prisoners,  Brigadier-Gen- 
eral Pettigrew  fell  into  their  hands.  The  enemy  confess  their 
killed,  wounded^  and  missing  at  nearly  twelve  thousand  men, 
besides  several  standards  and  cannon.  How  many  prisoners 
were  taken  I  could  not  say,  but  I  myself  counted  several  hun- 
dred on  their  way  to  Richmond." 

about,  sharply  reminding  the  men  to  "  dress  up  !  dress  up  there !"  Should  he  live, 
South-Carolina  may  rejoice  in  the  possession  of  such  an  officer. 


256  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF   THE   SOUTH. 

Although  the  number  of  our  wounded  was  not  considerable, 
Government  endeavored  to  provide  comfortably  for  them ;  and 
for  this  purpose  stores  and  warehouses,  in  various  parts  of  the 
city,  were  fitted  up,  and  surgeons,  public  and  private,  detailed 
to  superintend  them.  There  were  several  "  committees  for  the 
wounded  "  in  operation  among  the  better  class  of  citizens,  and 
every  thing  that  private  means  could  jdo  was  devoted  to  the 
needy.  From  sunrise  until  sunset  the  bed-sides  of  our  poor  fel. 
lows  were  never  deserted  by  kind  friends,  and  I  have  known 
frequent  instances  where  ladies  attended,  night  after  night,  for 
weeks,  fanning,  washing,  and  feeding  them ;  reading  or  writing 
for  them,  etc.,  so  that  the  poor  boys  were  oftentimes  even  bored 
by  their  many  attentions  and  unceasing  care.  Scores  were 
taken  from  military  hospitals  into  private  families,  and  tended 

•  for  months,  free  of  charge,  and  treated  more  affectionately  than 
they  might  have  been  even  at  home.  First-class  surgeons  gave 
their  advice  and  attention  gratuitously,  and  I  know  several 
medical  men  of  standing  who  neglected  lucrative  practice  to  as- 
sist our  men.  Some  took  them  home,  and  cared  for  them  there ; 
others  instituted  private  hospitals  for  their  proper  treatment; 
and  I  remember  instances  where  individuals  have  been  com- 

.fortably  provided  with  homes  and  proper  scientific  treatment 
for  many  months,  not  being  allowed  to  depart  until  fully  re- 
covered from  wounds  or  ailments.  Frequently  during  the  bat- 
tle of  "  Seven  Pines,"  I  saw  hundreds  of  citizens  drive  their  veh- 
icles near  the  battle-grounds,  and  convey  away  the  wounded ;  to 
see  a  muddy,  ragged,  bandaged  soldier  lolling  in  a  fine  silk- 
trimmed  carriage  was  no  uncommon  sight. 

In  fact,  so  great  was  the  anxiety  of  citizens  to  carry  off  the 
wounded,  that  one  of  their  omnibuses,  approaching  too  near 
the  enemy's  lines,  on  Sunday  morning,  was  capttyed  by  an 
ambuscading  party,  and  carried  off  in  great  triumph  as  a* rebel 
trophy.  This  omnibus  was  but  one  of  many  furnished  by 
hotels  for  this  humane  purpose,  and  several  were  capsized  in 
the  mud,  and  rendered  useless  for  all  future  service.  The 
poor  fellows  seemed  perfectly  contented  with  their  treatment, 
and  lay  in  bed  smoking  cigars  or  drinking  "  brandy  toddy," 
as  happy  as  lords.  In  fact,  many  of  them  rather  liked  the 
change,  and  would  not  exchange  their  honorable  scars  for 
any  amount.  Cigars,  brandy,  fine  food,  and  raiment,  were 


TREATMENT  OF  INVALIDS.  257 

such  a  contrast  to  rags,  constant  duty,  hard  fare,  and  inces- 
sant marching. 

Some  who  came  out  of  camp  to  visit  these  invalids  would 
look  round  with  almost  a  jealous  eye  upon  the  many  com- 
forts provided  for  them.  Ragged,  sunburnt,  and  ill-fed  as 
they  were,  many  could  but  jocularly  smile,  and  good-hu- 
moredly  wish  some  friendly  bullet  had  thrown  them  into  such 
comfortable  quarters.  When  the  wounded  in  turn  visited 
their  comrades  in  camp,  their  appearance  was  so  much  im- 
proved, they  looked  so  bright  and  cheerful,  and  had  so  many 
stories  to  tell  about  pleasures  and  pastimes,  that  our  doctors 
caught  many  feigning  sickness,  in  order  to  be  sent  to  hos- 
pitals in  town. 

The  theatres  were  a  great  temptation,  and  as  convalescents 
were  permitted  to  attend  them,  with  properly  signed  "  passes," 
these  places  were  nightly  crowded  with  military  audiences, 
scores  having  arms  in  slings  or  bandaged  heads.  Such  pieces, 
such  music,  such  yelling  and  laughter  were  never  heard  be- 
fore ;  the  poor  Germans  in  the  orchestra  were  tired  to  death 
with  repeats  of  "  Dixie,"  "  My  Maryland,"  and  the  "  Marseil- 
laise"—  tunes  which  the  audience  accompanied  with  vocal 
efforts  of  their  own,  or  embellished  with  a  running  accom. 
paniment  of  stamps  and  howling.  "  Blood-and- thunder  "  pro- 
ductions  were  greatly  in  vogue,  and  those  pieces  wherein 
most  of  the  characters  were  killed,  rose  decidedly  in  the  as- 
cendant. "A  tiptop  fight"  was  what  the  boys  delighted 
in,  and  an  unlucky  hero  would  never  fall  without  an  ac- 
companying yell  of  "Bring  on  your  ambulance!"  Had 
these  men  had  free  access  to  liquor,  its  effect  would  have 
been  disastrous ;  but  this  was  successfully  prohibited,  thanks 
to  the  vigilance  of  the  Provost-Marshal,  General  "Winder.* 

*  Brigadier-General  John  H.  Winder  is  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  about  sixty 
years  of  age.  He  entered  the  service  as  Brevet  Second  Lieutenant  of  Artillery, 
July  first,  1820;  resigned  August,  1823;  appointed  Second  Lieutenant  First  Artil- 
lery, April  second,  1827;  Captain  First  Artillery,  October  seventh,  1842;  Brevet 
Lieutenant-Colonel  First  Artillery,  September  fourteenth,  1847,  and  commanded  at 
Barrancas  Bavracks,  (opposite  Fort  Pickens,)  Florida,  when  the  war  began.  He 
has  been  acting  as  Provost-Marshal-General  at  Richmond  during  the  war,  and  ren- 
ders essential  service  in  that  department ;  in  truth,  no  half-dozen  men  could  fulfil 
the  labors  of  this  eagle-eyed  and  indefatigable  old  man. 
17 


258  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE   SOUTH. 

The  greatest  amount  of  affection  seemed  to  be  lavished 
upon  privates;  officers,  for  the  most  part,  were  treated  coldly 
by  the  masses,  and  allowed  to  shift  for  themselves  as  best 
they  could,  for  it  was  considered  far  more  honorable  to 
carry  a  musket  than  to  loiter  round  Richmond  in  expensive 
gold-corded  caps  and  coats.  Volumes  might  be  written  upon 
the  great  kindness  shown  to  our  troops  by  the  ladies  of 
Virginia :  although  the  women  of  Winchester,  Leesburgh, 
Charlottesville,  and  other  places,  did  much  for  the  common 
cause,  their  noble-hearted  and  open-handed  sisters  of  Rich- 
mond far  surpassed  them  all.  Nothing  that  human  nature 
could  do  was  left  undone ;  and  although  much  of  this  kind- 
ness and  care  were  thrown  away  upon  rude,  uncouth  ob- 
jects, their  humanity,  patience,  and  unceasing  solicitude  are 
beyond  all  praise. 

.  But  what  shall  I  say  of  the  army  doctors  and  nurses? 
There  was  a  great  improvement!  On  the  field,  they  endeav. 
ored  to  do  their  duty;  but  surgeons  of  Virginia  regiments 
evinced  more  care  and  anxiety  than  any  others,  and  seemed 
to  be  far  more  skilful  and  expeditious.  The  field  hospitals 
presented  an  awful  sight.  I  entered  one,  but  never  desire  to 
see  another.  It  was  an  old  dilapidated  house,  with  scarcely 
any  thing  standing  except  the  brick  chimney.  The  sufferers 
lay  inside  and  outside  on  straw,  but  such  was  the  flow  of 
blood,  that  all  their  garments,  bedding,  straw,  and  every 
thing  around  was  of  a  bright  red  color.  In  one  corner  I 
saw  a  large  pile  of  arms  and  legs;  many  already  dead  were 
lying  on  the  grass,  with  blankets  thrown  over  them,  while 
not  far  distant,  in  the  woods,  a  party  were  engaged  in  dig- 
ging long  trenches  for  sepulture.  These  things  were  passing 
under  the  eyes  of  all,  and  those  just  brought  in  from  the 
field  were  spectators  of  operations  going  on,  hearing  moans 
and  groans  incessantly.  Sickening  as  such  sights  were,  our 
men  bore  up  under  it  wonderfully  well,  and  did  not  wince  at 
all  when  called  upon  to  take  their  place  upon  the  unhinged 
door  which  served  as  an  operating-table.  Yet,  how  could 
all  this  be  otherwise  ?  Such  is  the  reality  of  war,  and  those 
who  paint  it  in  glowing  colors,  with  all  the  pomp  and  cir- 
cumstance of  triumph,  should  never  fail  to  add  a  few  words 


CARE  OF   THE  WOUNDED.  259 

of  truth  against  encouraging  the  sacrifice  of  life  for  the  sake 
of  ambition  and  unsubstantial  causes.  Had  it  not  been  for 
the  great  love  evinced  for  us  by  the  good  people  of  Rich- 
mond, hundreds  of  wounded  would  never  have  answered 
roll-call  again;  and  but  for  their  paternal  care,  coupled  with 
the  extraordinary  exertions  of  Government,  the  increasing 
warm  weather  would  have  added  greatly  to  our  bills  of 
mortality. 


CHAPTER  XXVUL 

Table  Talk — Curious  Instances  of  the  Force  of  Imagination  during  the  "War — Ar- 
guments in  Vindication  of  the  Southern  Cause. 

DURING  dinner  on  one  occasion  the  subject  of  "  imagination" 
came  up,  and  I  was  very  much  amused  with  the  views  of  all 
parties  upon  its  "  power  and  effects."  There  were  several  city 
and  army  doctors  present,  who,  considering  the  subject  to  be  an 
entirely  professional  one,  would  have  monopolized  all  our  at- 
tention ;  but  several  broke  in  with  their  individual  experience, 
and  leaving  others  to  decide  what  is,  and  what  is  not,  imagina- 
tion, told  some  very  amusing  and  occasionally  tragical  stories 
regarding  its  "  power  and  its  effects." 

"When  the  fight  at  Manassas  had  terminated,"  said  Adjutant 
Flint,  "  being  then  in  the  ranks,  I  was  detailed  as  one  of  a  '  bury- 
ing party/  and  was  out  all  night  and  most  of  the  following  day. 
As  our  regiment  had  been  engaged  near  Centreville,  I  was 
hunting  along  the  slopes  for  any  poor  fellow  who  required  as- 
sistance, when  my  attention  was  called  to  moans  in  the  bushes 
near  by.  I  called  some  comrades,  and  began  to  seek  for  the 
sufferer.  We  found  him  leaning  against  a  tree,  near  which  a 
shell  had  exploded — his  countenance  was  ghastly  pale,  and  he 
rolled  his  eyes  apparently  in  great  torture.  '  What's  the  matter, 
Lieutenant?'  I  asked;  but  he  groaned  and  fell  on  his  face. 
'  What  can  we  do  for  you  ?'  inquired  another.  '  Oh !  leave  me 
to  my  fate,  boys,'  was.  the  sorrowful  and  faint  reply.  '  I'm  dy- 
ing every  minute,  and  can't  last  long — I'm  bleeding  internally, 
and  my  blood  is  flowing  fast !  Farewell  to  my  own  sunny 
South ;  good-by,  boys,  and  if  any  body  shall  ever  visit  Holly 
Springs,  tell  'em  that  Shanks  died  like  a  patriot  for  his  country, 
and  shot  four  Yankees  before  he  fell !  Give  my  love  to  the 
Colonel  and  all  the  rest  of  the  boys,  and  when  you  write  don't 
fail  to  give  my  last  dying  regards  to  Miss  Sally  Smith,  if  any  on 
ye  know  her,  and  say  I  was  faithful  to  the  last.'  ' 


TABLE-TALK.  261 

"Affected  beyond  all  words  by  the  poor  lieutenant's  simplici- 
ty and  sufferings,  we  determined  to  carry  him  to  the  nearest  am- 
bulance, and  ask  a  doctor  to  look  to  his  wound.  We  placed 
him  in  a  blanket,  and  in  solemn  procession  had  proceeded  about 
half  a  mile,  when  he  positively  refused  to  go  farther.  '  Let  me 
down  gently,  boys,  I  can't  stand  shaking — there  isn't  much 
blood  in  me  now,  nohow,  and  I  feel  I'm  passing  away  from  this 
vale  of  tears  and  wicked  world  every  minute,  and  can't  last 
long.'  A  doctor  was  passing  at  the  time,  with  sleeves  rolled  up, 
looking  more  like  a  gentlemanly  butcher  than  any  thing  else ; 
and  in  whispers  we  spoke  of  the  condition  of  poor  Shanks,  who 
was  now  groaning  more  piteously  than  ever.  '  I  think  he's 
bleeding  internally,  doc,'  said  I,  '  for  I  don't  see  any  blood,  al- 
though his  momentary  contortions  are  awful  to  look  at — if  he 
wasn't  suffering  so  much  I  should  be  tempted  to  laugh.'  '  Where 
are  you  hit,  lieutenant  ?'  inquired  the  surgeon  tenderly.  Oh  ! 
don't  touch  me,  doc,  pray  don't — I'm  mortally  wounded  under 
'the  left  shoulder-blade,  the  ball  has  ranged  downwards,  and  I'm 
bleeding  internally.' 

"  In  a  trice  Shanks's  coat  was  cut  in  all  directions,  but  yet 
there  was  no  wound  visible,  until,  to  stop  his  lamentable  groans 
the  surgeon  asked  again :  'Where  are  you  hit — don't  groan  ever- 
lastingly, Shanks,  but  place  your  hand  upon  the  wound,  and 
let's  see  what  can  be  done  for  you.'  The  place  indicated  was 
as  sound  as  any  part  of  his  body,  and  after  searching  in  vain 
for  half  an  hour,  and  cutting  the  clothes  off  his  back  in  search 
of  blood,  the  doctor  gave  Shanks  a  slap  on  the  seat  of  honor, 
laughing  as  he  said :  '  Get  up,  Shanks,  and  don't  make  a  fool  of 
yourself  any  longer ;  you  are  as  sound  as  a  trout,  man — your 
wound  is  all  imaginary.'  We  all  began  to  laugh  heartily,  and 
were  about  to  take  signal  vengeance  on  him  for  making  us  carry 
him  half  a  mile  through  the  mud  and  bushes,  when  Shanks 
jumped  up  as  lively  as  ever  and  threatened  to  whip  any  man 
who  should  dare  laugh  at  him — a  threat  that  would  have  been 
fulfilled  to  the  letter.  I  was  sorry  for  the  poor  fellow,  but  learned 
that  a  shell  had  burst  within  a  few  feet  of  him,  and  feeling 
certain  that  he  was  wounded  by  a  fragment,  he  suffered  all  the 
symptoms  of  a  wounded  and  dying  man ;  in  proof  of  his  sincer- 
ity, poor  Shanks  had  lain  out  in  the  rain  all  night,  and  when  we 


262  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

found  him,  he  looked  the  most  lamentable  object  for  a  first 
lieutenant  that  can  possibly  be  imagined.  The  story  got  wind 
in  some  mysterious  manner,  and  Shanks  always  had  an  engage- 
ment on  hand  to  '  whip  somebody,1  until  at  Gains's  Mill  he  fell 
mortally  wounded ;  he  was  the  last  line  captain  left  in  his  regi- 
ment, all  his  confreres  having  dropped  in*  less  than  an  hour." 

"  This  war  has  caused  many  of  us  to  rise,"  said  Captain  Todd, 
reflectingly ;  "  but  how  long  any  of  us  will  remain  in  the  land 
of  the  living  it  is  difficult  to  say.  At  Bull  Eun  I  was  orderly  of 
my  company,  and  felt  greater  pleasure  in  carrying  a  musket 
than  wielding  a  sword  as  at  present.  The  enemy  were  swarm- 
ing across  Blackburn's  Ford  in  great  force,  and  we,  as  skirmish 
ers,  received  them  with  a  brisk  and  deadly  fire  until  ordered  to 
fall  back.  Our  captain  had  fallen  within  a  few  feet  of  me,  with 
his  face  to  the  enemy,  and  for  a  long  time  we  fought  around  him 
like  tigers,  and  finally  carried  off  the  body.  I  felt  sensible  that 
a  shot  had  grazed  my  side,  and  was  very  faint.  To  fall  then  was 
to  be  thrown  into  the  enemy's  hands  so  mustering  all  possible 
strength,  I  managed  to  get  back  to  the  regiment,  which  was 
re-forming  some  little  distance  in  the  rear,  preparatory  to  at' 
tacking  the  .enemy  in  line.  The  excitement  and  bustle  of  the 
moment  drove  all  other  thoughts  from  my  mind — we  fell  in,  ad- 
vanced, delivered  our  fire,  and  repelled  the  enemy  very  hand, 
somely ;  but  .while  reloading,  I  thought  of  my  wound,  and  felt  a 
sharp  pang  in  my  side,  which,  together  with  drops  trickling 
down,  made  me  certain  I  was  seriously  hurt ;  the  musket  fell 
from  my  hands,  and  I  fainted. 

"  I  had  not  lain  many  moments  when  the  noise  awoke  me  to 
consciousness,  and  I  tore  open  my  jacket,  pulled  off  my  shirt 
and  reduced  it  to  rags.  I  applied  the  bandages  to  my  side,  and 
felt  relieved,  although  I  was  so  sickened  with  the  sights  around 
me  that  I  forebore  to  look  at  my  own  hurt.  Eemoving  one 
bandage  and  replacing  another  I  saw  no  blood,  and  to  my  as- 
tonishment discovered  I  was  uninjured.  Had  any  one  discover- 
ed me  at  the  moment  I  should  have  died  from  mere  shame, 
for  I  could  have  sworn  my  hurt  was  a  serious  one.  The  truth 
is,  a  shot  must  have  passed  very  close,  for  my  jacket  was  cut  • 
but  the  drops  I  felt  trickling  down  were  nothing  but  perspira. 
tion,  and  the  sudden  pang  naught  but  a  sudden  rush  of  cold 


FORCE  OF  IMAGINATION.  263 

air  upon  my  exposed  person.  I  could  never  nave  imagined 
the  possibility  of  my  being  so  deceived  by  imagination,  but  yet 
such  is  the  candid  fact.  During  the  day  I  heard  several  com- 
plaining of  dislocated  shoulder-blades,  broken  ribs,  etc.;  but 
these  generally  were  imaginary  hurts  arising  from  the  concus- 
sion of  shot  or  shell.  At  Drainsville  I  saw  one  young  man 
lying  under  a  tree,  and  his  left  arm  seemed  lifeless  ;  he  said  it 
was  hanging  by  a  few  shreds  to  the  shoulder,  but  he  had  not 
looked  at  it.  Upon  examination  I  saw  that  a  shell  must  have 
passed  very  close,  for  the  flesh  was  puffed  up  considerably ;  yet 
beyond  this  the  doctors  said  there  was  no  injury.  The  con- 
cussion had  caused  the  swelling.  I  have  frequently  seen  men 
fall  from  this  cause,  and  remain  senseless  for  a  long  time ;  and 
several  in  our  regiment  have  become  hopelessly  deaf  in  the 
same  way.  My  hat  has  been  blown  off  twice  by  the  rush  of  air? 
and  I  have  more  than  once  felt  my  cheeks  tingle,  and  grow  hot 
from  the  closeness  of  shots." 

"  But  this  is  all  one-sided,"  said  Lieutenant  Small.  "  I  have 
known  imagination  to  work  as  powerfully  with  members  of  the 
profession  as  upon  their  patients.  When  the  wounded  were 
being  brought  into  the  churches  of  Leesburgh,  friend  and  foe 
were  accommodated  alike  with  whatever  we  had,  and  the  ladies 
were  working  like  angels  in  various  offices  of  mercy  and  kind- 
ness. Outside  one  of  the  churches  a  tent  was  raised  for  the  re- 
ception of  the  dead.  I  sought  for  a  poor  friend  of  mine  among 
the  many  bodies,  and  found  two  Yankees,  thrown  in  among 
the  others.  They  were  sighing,  and  I  immediately  pulled  them 
out,  placed  a  body  under  their  heads  for  a  pillow,  and  examin- 
ed their  hurts.  One  had  received  a  shot  in  the  left  eye ;  being 
a  common  round  musket-ball,  it  had  passed  round  the  skull, 
and  come  out  at  the  left  ear.  In  the  second  case,  the  ball  had 
passed  in  a  direction  exactly  the  opposite  of  this.  They  were 
not  dead,  and  I  felt  annoyed  that  they  were  thrown  aside  to 
die,  while  many  of  their  comrades  were  comfortably  provided 
for  in  churches  and  schools. 

"  The  doctors  were  busy  and  treated  me  like  a  Union  sympa- 
thizer, and  to  my  appeals  on  behalf  of  suffering  humanity, 
swore  roundly  that  they  had  something  more  important  to  at- 
tend to,  particularly  as  the  two  Yankess  were  pronounced  by 


264  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

all  the  faculty  as  *  hopeless  cases.'  My  appeals  to  the  ladies 
were  answered  by  instant  kindness.  They  proceeded  to  the 
'  dead  tent,'  and  told  me  these  sufferers  had  been  there  all  day, 
and  were  considered  dead.  I  procured  some  excellent  whiskey 
for  them,  their  faces  were  washed,  more  spirit  was  administer- 
ed at  proper  intervals,  food  was  given,  and  to  the  astonishment 
of  all  the  doctors  these  two  fellows  were  walking  about  the 
streets  of  Leesburgh  in  less  than  three  days,  comfortably  smok- 
ing their  pipes,  or  fighting  their  battles  over  again  round  the 
fire  of  the  mess-rooms.  I  know,  too,  an  instance  of  a  young 
man  who  came  off  the  field  of  Manassas,  with  a  cloth  tied  over 
the  top  of  his  head,  and  was  begging  all  to  pour  cold  water 
on  it,  for  a  shell  had  passed  so  close  as  to  scalp  him.  Upon 
examination  he  proved  to  be  unhurt,  but  the  concussion  was  so 
great  as  to  cause  all  the  feeling  of  being  scalped,  nor  could  he 
be  convinced  of  the  contrary  until  after  looking  in  the  glass, 
when  he  exclaimed,  with  great  naivete :  '  "Well,  I'm  mighty 
glad  the  har  is  thar,  but  if  I  didn't  think  I  war  scalped  by  that 
ar  shell,  you  can  just  shoot  me,  that's  all ;  for  them  whizzing, 
screechy  things  make  my  head  ache  and  knees  to  tremble  just 
to  think  on  'em!  So  I  an't  scalped,  doc,  eh?  Well,  if  I 
didn't  think  I  was,  I  be  darned !  particular  as  my  head  feels 
half  off  even  now,  and  I  can't  hold  my  neck  straight  to  save  my 
life.' " 

"  I  had  a  patient  at  Warrenton,"  said  another,  "  who  caused 
me  much  annoyance  and  vexation.  The  wound  was  in  his 
thigh,  but  he  persisted  in  saying  that  the  ball  had  not  been  ex- 
tracted, though,  any  one  could  see  from  the  character  of  the 
wound  that  the  shot  had  passed  out.  For  several  days  I  tried 
to  convice  him  that  he  was  progressing  favorably,  but  as  soon 
as  my  back  was  turned  he  represented  my  cruelty  to  him  in 
such  fearful  colors  that  the  brigade  surgeon  came  and  had 
angry  words  with  me.  I  explained  matters,  and  upon  examin- 
ation he  apologized,  laughingly,  and  .said  he  would  perform  the 
operation  himself.  My  former  patient,  on  learning  that  the 
brigade  surgeon  was  about  to  work  upon  him,  seemed  in  ec- 
stasies, and  would  not  allow  me  to  go  near  him  again,  saying  to 
himself:  '  I  have  found  one  among  the  crowd  who  understands 
my  case,  and  that  darned  ball  will  come  out  at  last.'  At  dress- 
ing-time, the  brigade  surgeon  appeared  before  my  thick-headed 


THE  SOUTHERN   CAUSE.  265 

patient,  made  a  terrible  display  of  his  instruments,  and  asked 
Number  Five  '  if  lie  was  ready  ?'  The  parade  of  knives  and 
lancets  did  not  move  a  muscle  of  Number  Five ;  rather  he  seem- 
ed pleased,  and  the  mock  operation  proceeded.  His  thigh  was 
properly  dressed,  and  after  several  flourishes  of  the  probe,  a 
ball  was  shown  to  the  patient,  who  seemed  much  rejoiced,  and 
smoked  his  pipe  with  greater  pleasure  than  ever.  His  health 
began  to  improve  daily,  and  he  was  soon  convalescent,  but  all 
the  kindness  in  the  world  could  not  make  him  like  me  as  at  first, 
and  although  it  was  explained  to  him  subsequently  that  the 
operation  was  only  a  '  sham,'  he  persisted  in  thinking  the 
brigade  surgeon  a  fine  fellow  and  myself  a  fool." 

The  conversation  soon  changed  to  other  matters. 

"  I  beg  leave  to  differ  with  you,  Captain,  upon  that  point," 
said  one.  "  I  cannot  believe  that  the  universal  sentiment  of  the 
Charleston  Convention  was  in  favor  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas : 
there  were  many  there  who  even  knew  more  of  the  true  char- 
acter of  the  man  than  /  did,  and  were  fully  aware  that  a  person 
of  his  unsatisfactory  standing  could  never  be  the  standard-bear- 
er of  the  South,  and  bring  about  that  reconciliation  which  was 
long  necessary  between  the  North  and  ourselves.  The  idea  of 
secession  was  not  a  new  or  strange  one.  All  who  have  studied 
the  current  of  adverse  views  for  the  past  few  years  are  as  fully 
aware  as  myself  of  the  fact  that  the  leading  men  of  all  sections 
saw  the  inevitable  result  which  the  fanaticism  and  power  of  the 
North  would  bring  about ;  and  it  was  the  object  of  the  South 
to  prove  how  much  the  North  loved  us  by  seconding  our  proper 
candidate,  John  C.  Breckinridge.  It  was  the  proof  that  we 
needed,  and  finding  the  North  resolved  to  crush  out  all  our 
hope  of  justice  or  a  fair  hearing  in  the  councils  of  the  nation, 
it  was  determined  to  make  a  bold  push  for  freedom,  and  forever 
separate  from  those  who,  from  the  mere  accident  of  possessing 
power  and  numerical  strength,  were  determined  to  out- vote  all 
our  propositions,  right  or  wrong ;  to  carry  the  high  hand  of 
power  over  us,  and  force  us  into  a  state  of  uncomplaining  ac- 
quiescence ;  and  to  quietly  become,  once  and  forever,  the  hum- 
ble producers1  of  those  staples,  the  handling  and  exportation 
of  which  were  annually  enriching  them  and  impoverishing  our- 
selves. The  natural  excellences  of  our  coast  for  harbors  and 


266  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

arsenals  were  never  looked  into;  lighthouses,  breakwaters, 
and  repairs  were  never  considered  ;  we  had  no  right  to  suppose 
that  dockyards  and  the  like  should  be  placed  South,  for  these 
things  might  eventually  increase  our  prosperity,  and  that  must 
not  be ! 

"  Then,  again,  territories  were  crowded  by  Northern  im- 
migration, so  that  the  political  balance  should  always  remain 
with  them;  railroads  could  not  be  constructed  South  to  the 
Pacific  —  better  routes  were  always  found  North,  and  when 
private  enterprise  was  excited  to*  compete,  Government  appro- 
priations were  always  made  to  Northern  speculators.  Even  the 
routes  of  our  commonest  products  were  always  directed  North- 
ward for  exportation  and  trade,  and  for  many  years  there 
seemed  to  be  a  settled  plan  with  Northerners  to  favor  all 
that  pertained  to  themselves,  and  ignore  our  commonest  rights 
and  interests.  The  results  are,  that  the  tide  of  emigration 
has  always  been  guided  North.  The  army  and  navy  estab- 
lishments were  always  located  there ;  Government  works  and 
improvements  were  to  be  found  there  only  ;  private  enterprises 
of  a  national  character  were  always  well  patronized  and  pro- 
tected there ;  and,  although  not  a  manufacturing  people,  what- 
ever spirit  of  emulation  or  competition  was  exhibited  among 
us,  it  never  met  with  favor.  In  all  things  their  maxims  were 
apparent :  '  We  are  more  numerous,  and  will  rule  as  it  suits 
ourselves  —  our  interests  must  be  always  attended  to  —  we 
know  nothing  of  the  rights,  privileges,  or  customs  of  those 
who  did  most  to  gain  our  independence ;  all  we  know  and 
remember  is  —  ourselves  I ' 

"  These  are  not  my  ideas  alone,  but  the  sentiments  of  the 
whole  South.  Were  not  Douglas,  Buchanan,  Pierce,  Dickin- 
son, and  infamous  Butler,  supposed  friends  of  the  South,  fully 
aware  of  all  these  grievances,  and  did  they  attempt  to  ame- 
liorate our  condition,  or  seek  to  obtain  for  us  common  justice, 
or  even  an  impartial  hearing?  Ambitious  as  they  were  for 
favor,  the  North  was  always  courted,  as  being  the  most  popu- 
lous, and  whatever  praise  they  seemed  to  bestow  upon  us  was 
qualified  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  construed  in  any  way. 
Douglas,  of  whom  much  has  been  said,  was  not  a  truthful 
or  reliable  man,  for  it  is  on  record  that  in  his  campaign  against 
Lincoln  for  the  Senatorship  in  Illinois,  his  speeches  were 


OBJECTS  OP  THE  NORTH.  267 

adapted  to  suit  communities;  so  that  what  pleased  those  of 
Chicago — namely,  a  mild  sort  of  abolitionism  —  was  changed 
into  ultra-Southernism  in  the  lower  counties  of  the  same  State. 
Much  of  the  same  hypocritical  style  was  adopted  by  his  op- 
ponent Lincoln,  who,  had  he  expressed  the  sentiments  in 
Massachusetts,  openly  avowed  in  Southern  Illinois,  would 
have  been  mobbed  and  hooted  through  the  public  streets. 
This  is  not  hearsay,  but  positive  knowledge  orally  obtained 
during  their  canvass  of  the  State." 

"It  seems  providential,"  remarked  another,  "that  the  dis- 
ruption of  the  Union  has  taken  place,  and  especially  at  this 
time,  for  the  North  was  gaining  ground  too  rapidly,  and  in- 
sensibly reducing  us  to  servitude.  A  longer  delay  would 
only  have  added  greater  odds  against  us,  as  the  election 
of  Lincoln  fully  proved  that  no  respect  was  paid  to  the  feel- 
ings or  interests  of  the  South.  Wo  had  forewarned  the  North, 
moreover,  of  the  consequences  —  we  had  solemnly  done  so  — 
it  remained  with  them,  therefore,  to  prove  their  disinterested 
love  of  the  Union  by  electing  one  that  should  have  satisfied 
both  parties.  When  a  contract  is  made  by  several  for  their 
individual  and  united  good,  it  betrays  bad  faith  in  any  to 
attempt  imperialism  or  despotism,  because  time  and  fortui- 
tous circumstances  may  have  enriched  them,  individually,  at 
a  greator  rate  than  others.  The  old  compact  was  made  for 
the  good  of  the  several  States  making  it,  nor  were  local  in- 
stitutions objected  to,  in  the  days  when  Southern  troops 
marched  through  Massachusetts,  and  New-Englanders  re- 
mained at  home." 

"  There  is  a  decided  difference  in  blood,  climate,  and  pre- 
dilections," said  a  third.  "It  is  said  we  are  come  from  a 
common  stock ;  but  certainly  the  hot  blood  and  hig^-toned 
spirit  of  the  South  cannot  be  one  with  the  icy,  fanatical, 
psalm-singing  Puritanism  of  Massachusetts.  Is  it  not  rather 
traceable  to .  the  courtly,  plumed,  and  belted  cavaliers  of 
Maryland  and  Virginia  —  men  whose  lineage*  is  traceable 
through  heraldic  honors,  who  carried  swords  by  right  of 
birth  —  and  not  those  whose  history,  either  in  their  old  or 
their  new  home,  could  not  be  brought  to  light  without  caus- 
ing them  to  blush?  The  North,  in  short,  has  supplied  a 


268  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

field  of  enterprise  in  which  but  little  capital  was  necessary, 
and  hence  it  has  become  the  common,  receptacle  of  all  races 
and  classes  of  men,  while  few  have  journeyed  South,  where 
comparatively  large  means  were  necessary  to  start  them  in 
competition  with  the  residents.  Some,  like  birds  of  passage, 
have  come  to  enrich  themselves,  but  not  to  settle  as  per- 
manent residents  in  a  country  whose  productions,  climate, 
manners,  and  resources  were  totally  unlike  all  to  which 
they  had  been  formerly  accustomed.  It  cannot  be  denied 
by  any  who  have  lived  in  the  South,  and  studied  its  char- 
acter, that  we  have  intermixed  less  with  in-comers  than  those 
of  the  North." 

"  I  agree  with  those  views  in  the  main,"  said  one,  "  yet  I 
eannot  but  think  that  much  blame  is  due  to  us  for  our  habit- 
ual carelessness  and  apathy  in  things  pertaining  to  our  rights 
and  necessities.  We  have  looked  upon  human  nature  in- 
correctly, and  attributed  to  it  more  honesty  and  honor  than 
it  possesses,  and  now  we  feel  surprised  to  find  the  world 
other  than  we  expected.  We  might  have  seen  long  ago. 
that,  with  a  great  influx  of  abolition  feeling  and  atheism 
into  the  country,  it  was  time  to  prepare  for  the  'irrepres- 
sible conflict ;'  instead  of  which,  by  remaining  inactive,  we 
allowed  the  deluge  to  burst  upon  us  before  the  ark  was  ready. 
From  the  year  1832,  when  South-Carolina  first  seceded,  and 
Jackson  forced  her  back  into  the  Union,  until  the  present 
hour,  it  was  clear  to  all  that  a  disruption  was  inevitable,  and 
ti  behooved  us  to  prepare  for  it  as  quietly  as  South-Carolina 
did,  and  not  waste  our  energies  in  useless  congressional  de- 
bates, which  could  never  wring  one  particle  of  justice  from 
the  absolutism  of  the  jaundiced-eyed  majority." 

"  "Pis  true  that  our  leaders  did  not  exert  themselves  discreet- 
ly," said  another,  "or  the  same  results  could  have  been  obtain- 
ed with  less  cost.  Except  among  a  few,  there  was  no  system 
of  united  acjjon ;  and  those  few,  from  paucity  of  means  and 
insufficient  influence,  maintained  profound  secrecy  and  gave  no 
inkling  of  ulterior  objects.  Calhoun  and  others  spoke  senten- 
tiously,  and  their  hints  contained  volumes  of  meaning  to  the 
student;  but  the  majority  had  such  implicit  confidence  in  the 
honesty  and  integrity  of  the  North  that  any  thing  to  the  con- 


SECRET  PURPOSES.  269 

trary  -would  have  been  construed  into  downright  treason,  be- 
cause too  apathetic  in  watching  the  current  of  events  and  the 
'  manifest  destiny '  of  our  cause." 

"That  is  correct,"  said  another,  "but  it  must  be  confessed 
that  our  statesmen  have  been  more  energetic  and  watchful  since 
the  time  of  Calhoun  than  before,  and  it  is  mainly  owing  to 
President  Davis  that  our  country  has  risen  at  all.  Since  his 
debut  in  public  life,  Jeff  has  applied  himself  to  the  study  of  past 
history,  and  of  men  and  measures.  No  one  understands  the 
wants  and  aspirations  of  the  South  better  than  himself,  and 
from  early  manhood  he  has  kept  his  own  counsel  and  been 
patiently  planning  aifairs  as  we  see  him  now.  In  Congress  he 
was  ever  willing  to  undertake  any  office  or  responsibility  that 
might  enlighten  him  regarding  our  peculiarities  and  resources ; 
and  his  West-Point  education  gave  him  an  assurance  of  his 
powers,  which  displayed  themselves  brilliantly  and  conspicu- 
ously in  the  campaign  of  Mexico.  Indeed,  our  highest  officers 
were  jealous  of  his  talent,  and,  viewing  him  as  a  dashing  and 
ambitious  Southerner,  threw  every  conceivable  obstacle  in  his 
way  to  prevent  him  from  superseding  them. 

"  When  Jefferson  Davis  undertook  the  office  of  Secretary  of 
War  under  Pierce,  he  was  in  a  position  for  which  he  was'  pre- 
eminently qualified,  and  made  himself  perfect  master  of  all 
that  pertained  to  that  office.  There  was  not  a  fort  or  barracks 
throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  country  which  was 
not  familiar  to  him,  and  at  the  same  time  he  fixed  his  eye  at- 
tentively on  all  the  rising  talent  of  the  army,  and  made  a  note 
of  those  students  at  the  various  military  and  naval  colleges  who 
had  distinguished  themselves,  and  might  leave  the  seclusion  of 
private  life  under  the  pressure  of  times  to  come.  There  was 
scarcely  one  officer  that  came  within  his  knowledge,  whose  qual- 
ifications, antecedents,  sentiments,  and  ambition  were  not  duly 
chronicled  and  remembered,  so  that  when  hostilities  did  event- 
ually break  out  between  us,  Davis  had  but  little  difficulty  in 
making  judicious  selections  from  whatever  talent  patriotically 
joined  our  ranks  and  cause. 

"  The  knowledge  that  he  acquired  as  Minister  of  War  has 
proved  of  incalculable  advantage  to  us,  for  he  knows  exactly 
what  the  North  can  and  cannot  accomplish,  and  fully  under- 


270  BATTLE -FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

stands  all  its  resources  beforehand.  Whatever  information  he 
lacks  is  periodically  transmitted  through  proper  channels,  so 
that  he  seems  gifted  with  double  sight,  and  astonishes  the 
Cabinet  at  Washington  by  his  accurate  information  of  their 
designs  and  plans.  Coming,  as  he  did,  in  daily  contact  with 
such  men  as  Scott,  Lee,  McClellan,  Beauregard,  Heintzelman, 
and  a  host  of  other  talented  officers,  he  could  not  be  far  from 
understanding  the  aspirations  and  particular  qualifications  of 
each :  in  fact,  President  Davis  was  the  first  to  exclaim,  from 
his  thorough  knowledge  of  the  man,  'McClellan  is  the  best 
officer  they  could  select ;  but  they  will  not  keep  him  long ! '  a 
remark  which  seemed  prophetic.  Nor  can  we  forget  the  part 
which  Davis  and  his  friends  instigated  Floyd,  Cobb,  and  others 
to  play  when  Cabinet  Ministers  to  Buchanan — it  may  seem  dis- 
reputable, but  I  don't  think  so,  for  self-preservation  is  the  first 
law  of  nature.  When  it  became  evident  that  North  and  South 
could  no  longer  live  amicably  together,  and  that  dissolution 
was  inevitable,  Floyd,  as  Minister  of  War,  prepared  for  the 
crisis  by  quietly  sending  the  Sputh  her  fair  proportion  of  arms. 
The  transaction  was  a  secret  one,  but  yet  was  commented  upon 
by  watchful  men  at  the  North.  It  was  said,  however,  that  we 
might  soon  be  engaged  with  Spain  or  some  other  power,  and 
that  the  South  was  the  best  location  for  them.  Cobb,  in  the 
Treasury,  did  many  things  to  embarrass  the  North,  and  facili- 
tated all  movements  as  best  he  could  for  our  welfare  and  up- 
rising. His  financial  abilities,  or  talents  of  any  sort,  were  not 
much ;  but  silence  and  discretion  were  all  that  was  required  of 
him." 

Another  remarked:  "I  cannot  but  admire  the  patriotism 
and  alacrity  with  which  army  and  navy  officers  joined  the  for- 
tunes of  their  respective  States ;  though  they  knew  well  that 
the  declaration  of  independence  was  merely  an  '  experiment,' 
and  that  every  chance  was  against  us,  for  we  had  neither  army, 
navy,  nor  resources  of  any  kind.  Many  of  these  men  were  fast 
rising  to  eminence  in  the  old  service,  and  would  have  been  com- 
fortably provided  for  upon  retirement.  Much  of  their  property 
was  situated  North,  and  all  the  expectations  of  years  were  at 
stake ;  but,  old  or  young,  they  immediately  surrendered  every 
thing  and  offered  their  services  to  us,  although  for  a  long  time 


PATRIOTISM  OF  SOUTHERN  CELEBRITIES.  271 

our  cause  seemed  one  of  Herculean  labor,  and  devoid  of  pros- 
pective success. 

"  Lee,  for  instance,  was  considered  one  of  the  finest  engineers 
in  the  service,  and  was  second  only  to  Scott  in  the  estimation 
and  love  of  the  people.  Albert  Sydney  Johnston  stood  per- 
haps higher  as  an  active  commander,  but  few,  if  any,  surpassed 
him  in  a  thorough  knowledge  of  his  profession,  or  greater  abil- 
ity in  council.  His  property  and  effects  were  in  Northern 
hands ;  he  was  offered  chief  command  in  the  field ;  but  he 
abandoned  all,  and,  bereft  of  every  thing,  ofjfered  himself  to 
his  native  State.  Johnston,  Beauregard,  Van  Dorn,  Evans, 
Longstreet,  Ewell,  and  a  host  of  others,  made  similar  sacrifices, 
and  for  a  long  time  were  without  any  settled  rank  or  command. 
They  had  to  fight  their  way  up,  and  have  successfully  done  so. 
The  same  may  be  said  of  the  navy.  Lynch,  Tatnall,  Ingra- 
ham,  Hollins,  and  others,  ^followed  their  illustrious  example. 
Maury — the  world- renewed  Maury — had  all  to  lose  and  nothing 
to  gain  by  joining  our  cause ;  but  he  did  so,  and  refusing  the 
offers  and  hospitalities  of  kings  and  princes,  busied  himself, 
industriously,  in  any  department  where  his  services  might  be 
of  value.  Hollins,  indeed,  brought  his  ship  with  him,  and  was 
cursed  for  it  from  east  to  west  by  the  North.  We  cannot  expect 
to  do  much  with  our  navy  at  present,  but  we  have  talent  enough 
in  the  forthcoming  times  of  peace  to  found  a  navy  which  shall 
eclipse  the  achievements  of  our  army,  if  cruel  necessity  occasion 
its  services  to  be  called  for.  There  are  many  still  in  the  army 
and  navy  of  the  North  who  rightfully  belong  to  us — some  re- 
fused to  believe  in  our  ultimate  success,  and  thought  a  bird  in 
the  hand  was  worth  two  in  the  bush ;  others  resigned,  but  could 
not  get  South ;  some  were  accused  of  sympathy  and  imprison- 
ed ;  while  others  quietly  settled  down  into  business,  and  now 
await  the  adjustment  of  affairs,  to  come  and  live  among  us." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  said  one,  emphatically ;  "  I  expect  there  will  not 
be  scores  only,  but  thousands  expressing  excellent  Southern 
sentiments  '  when  the  war  is  over,'  and  asserting  their  sympa- 
thies were  always  with  us.  There  will  then  be  thousands  of 
Jews  and  Dutch  willing  to  swear  the  same  until  black  in  the 
face ;  but  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  our  people  understand  that  ques- 
tion as  well  as  Government,  and  will  take  more  than  usual  care 
to  protect  themselves  against  the  hordes  which  have  been  the 


272  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

chief  movers  and  instigators  of  all  the  isms,  usurpation,  and 
despotism  of  the  North.  There  are  hundreds  of  democrats  in 
New- York  and  other  States,  particularly  in  the  West,  who  now 
sincerely  regret  that  avarice  and  love  of  power  prompted  them 
to  '  use '  the  fanatical  masses  to  lift  them  into  power,  and  habit- 
ually support  measures  which  they  knew  were  tyrannical  and 
unjust.  The  people  have  already  considered  every  phase  of  . 
that  subject,  and  will  act  discreetly  in  the  future." 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Talk  about  Slavery  —  Comparison  of  the  Slave  System  with  the  Free-Labor  System 
df  Europe — Comfortable  Condition  of  Negroes  on  the  Plantations — Their  Indif- 
ference and  even  Dislike  to  Freedom  —  Insincerity  of  the  Northern  Fanatics — 
Their  Treatment  of  Free  Negroes — Crucial  Tests  of  the  Doctrine  that  all  Men  are 
born  Free  and  Equal — The  Question  considered  on  religious  and  social  Grounds — 
Attachment  of  Negroes  to  their  Masters — Anecdotes. 

"  WELL,  Tom,  I  have  just  received  a  letter  from  home,  which., 
informs  me  there  is  scarcely  a  white  person  in  our  whole  par- 
ish 1"  said  Frank,  one  evening  after  supper.  "What  if  the 
darkeys  should  grow  discontented  and  rise  ?" 

"If  there  had  been  any  such  possibility,"  one  replied,  "the 
Yankee  Government  would  soon  have  seized  upon  it  for  our 
destruction  or  chastisement.  There  is  no  likelihood  of  such  an 
event,  however.  I  know  districts  in  Mississippi  where  there 
are  not  more  than  one  or  two  old  white  men  to  a  slave  popula- 
tion of  from  three  to  five  thousand.  In  fact,  all  our  plantations 
are  conducted  by  the  negroes  themselves,  in  the  absence  of 
overseers  or  masters.  I  have  offered  large  salaries  for  overseers 
for  my  places,  but  they  never  stay  long — they  are  all  off  to  the 
wars.  My  wife  informs  me  that  all  things  are  progressing  qui- 
etly and  favorably  as  ever — my  mulatto  boy  Bob  superintends 
the  Upper,  and  Black  Jim  the  Lower  Place,  and  have  raised 
excellent  crops  in  my  absence.  Talk  to  me  of  our  darkeys  ris- 
ing to  massacre  the  whites !  Why,  I  wager  my  life  that  all  the 
inducements  in  the  world  could  not  draw  off  my  servants  from 
me.  Most  have  grown  up  from  childhood  with  me,  and  lived 
as  I  have  done ;  and  when  one  of  these  rabid  Abolitionists 
counts  the  cost  of  keeping  servants,  he  would  be  loth  to  expend 
as  much  upon  white  labor.  Just  look  at  Nick  out  there,  round 
the  camp-fire,  kicking  up  his  heels  in  a  dance !  that  boy  costs 
me  much  more  —  yes,  double  what  I  should  have  to  pay  for 
cook  hire  in  Europe ;  and  more  than  that,  when  he  gets  old, 
18 


274  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

no  matter  how  much  money  he  may  have  by  him,  I  am  com- 
pelled by  law  to  provide  for  all  his  wants. 

"  Think  you  that  the  Major's  boy  would  buy  his  freedom, 
although  to  my  knowledge  he  has  two  thousand  dollars  in  gold, 
hid  away  in  an  old  stocking  ?  You  know  as  well  as  I  do  that 
all  our  boys  are  making  money — some  as  much  as  twenty  dol- 
lars per  week  —  by  washing,  cooking,  selling  things,  and  the 
like,  but  reason  with  them  about  buying  their  freedom,  at  ever 
so  low  a  figure,  and  they  grin,  jingle  the  dimes  in  their  greasy 
pockets,  and  tell  you :  '  Massa  libs  better  dan  I  kin,  and  when 
dis  chile  gets,  ole,  Massa  must  take  care  ob  him.'  And  sure 
enough  we  must.  They  argue,  and  to  the  point  it  seems  to  me, 
.thus:  'I  am  Master's  boy,  and  must  do  what  he  tells  me.  No 
matter  what  the  price  of  things  may  be,  I  must  be  well  fed  and 
clothed,  and  my  health  carefully  attended  to  by  his  own  physi- 
cian, or  some  other,  even  should  he  have  to  pay  ten  dollars  for 
a  visit.  He  gives  me  from  one  to  two  dollars  every  week  for 
spending-money :  I  live  in  the  house  with  him,  grow  up  with 
him,  attend  him  in  all  his  sports :  my  wife  lives  with  me,  and 
he  takes  care  of  both,  in  sickness  ot  health,  in  youth  or  age.  If 
I  do  not  act  properly,  he  sells  me,  but  few  negroes  are  sold  who 
mind  their  business.' 

"  Count  up  the  cost,  in  times  of  peace,  and  tell  me  whether 
this,  and  my  other  boys,  do  not  cost  me  more  than  two  and  a 
half  or  three  dollars  per  week,  the  average  wages  of  two  thirds 
the  laborers  in  Europe  ?  And  more'  than  this,  I  cannot  tell 
one  of  my  boys,  'I  don't  need  your  services,'  when  grown 
old — the  law  forbids  it,  if  even  I  were  so  inclined.  But  who 
would  be  inclined  to  part  with  a  boy,  even  like  grumbling 
Nick  yonder,  who  played  with  him  when  a  child,  whose  moth- 
er rocked  him  in  the  cradle,  and  whose  father  taught  him  the 
first  use  of  a  gun,  how  to  swim,  how  to  catch  and  ride  a  horse, 
and  a  thousand  other  things  ?  There  may  be,  and  no  doubt 
are;  many  who  feel  differently,  but  speaking  for  myself,  I  could 
not  part  with  my  negroes,  even  if  assured  that  the '  capital  in- 
vested in  them  would  return  me  five  times  as  much  in  ordinary 
commerce.  They  receive  three  suits  of  clothes  every  year,  and 
shoes  as  often  as  they  need ;  their  holidays  are  fixed  by  law  ; 
in  wet  weather  they  are  kept  within  doors ;  they  have  good, 


ARGUMENTS.  275 

comfortable  cabins,  plenty  of  fuel,  and  little  garden-patches  to 
cultivate  for  themselves ;  as  for  their  hen-roosts,  they  are  better 
stocked  than  my  own.  If  I  want  eggs  or  garden-stuff,  I  buy 
from  them,  while  Nick  yonder,  and  several  other  of  my  boys, 
have  full  license  to  cut  all  the  timber  they  desire  into  cord- 
wood,  and  sell  it  to  steamboats  for  their  own  pocket-money. 
Three  of  these  fellows  have  sold  four  hundred  dollars'  worth  of 
cord- wood  to  the  boats  in  one  year ;  many  other  boys  also,  and 
none  of  the  masters  ever  get  a  cent  for  the  timber.  In  fact, 
I  have  frequently  acted  as  clerk  for  them  when  in  the  field,  and 
sold  hundreds  of  cords  to  steamboats — the  morfey  being  handed 
over  to  the  black  rascals,  who  trot  off  to  the  first  show  and 
spend  it.  I  tell  you,  Tom,  you  cannot  induce  one  of  my  boys 
to  leave  me,  at  any  price.  My  motto  is :  'If  my  servants  are 
discontented  with  all  I  do  for  them,  let  them  run  off  if  they 
choose.'  They  always  come  back  again,  I  notice,  and  behave 
better  than  before." 

"It  would  seem,"  said  one,  "that  the  Federals  are  greatly 
mistaken  in  their  estimate  of  the  negro.  But  if  they  are  equal 
to  the  whites,  why  do  not  Northern  fanatics  give  their  fair 
daughters  in  marriage  to  them  ?  They  talk  much  of  the  equal- 
ity of  the  races,  but  tell  me,  are  Hottentots  socially  your  equals  ? 
Would  you  be  bothered  with  them  as  gratuitous  servants  ?  I 
think  not.  Lincoln,  the  high-priest  of  Northern  anti-slavery 
fanatics,  has  publicly  declared  to  a  deputation  of  colored  folks, 
that  they  are  '  unfit  to  pretend '  to  equality,  and  that  the  best 
he  could  advise  them  was  'to  go  to  Africa,  their  original  land, 
or  some  other  place,  and  raise  settlements  for  themselves ! ' 
Arguments  may  be  multiplied,  but  the  same  conclusion  is  ar- 
rived at,  namely,  that  they  are  an  '  inferior '  race,  and  unfitted 
to  cope  with  the  whites.  Northern  fanatics  groan,  and  say  we 
should  instruct  them  and  elevate  them.  Why  do  not  they  do 
so  ?  Is  not  Sambo  their  servant  as  well  as  mine  ?  And  are  his 
colored  servants  paid,  and  fed,  and  clothed,  and  provided  for 
in  old  age  as  mine  are — as  mine  are  obliged  to  be  by  law  ?  No ! 
When  Sambo  the  waiter  loses  his  robust  appearance  and  so- 
lemnity of  behavior,  or  Nancy,  the  cook,  grows  .feeble  over 
pots  and  pans  in  the  kitchen,  they  are  '  discharged ' — no  further 
responsibility  rests  with  the  employer,  who  has  drawn  from 


276  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

them  all  the  wear  and  tear  of  years.  Not  so  with  us.  We  must 
take  care  of  them — their  misdemeanors  are  visited  upon  us, 
and  disgrace  those  who  own  them. 

"As  for  going  to  church,  there  are  no  objections — there  can 
be  none ;  and,  believe  me,  my  darkeys  go  more  frequently  than 
/  do,  and  have  tri- weekly  meetings  among  themselves.  This 
is  encouraged ;  for  the  more  pious  a  negro  is,  the  better  servant 
he  becomes  in  every  sense  of  the  word.  If  he  chooses  to  leave 
me,  and  pay  for  his  hire,  he  can  follow  any  business  that 
pleases  him  best.  I  have  now  two  boys  who  have  so  hired 
themselves  from  me  at  five  dollars  per  week,  who  in  barbering 
or  blacksmithing  make  thrice  that  sum,  and  have  large  savings 
in  the  bank.  Think  you  I  could  '  prevail '  upon  either  of  them 
to  buy  their  freedom  at  one  thousand  dollars  or  fifteen  hun- 
dred dollars  each?  Why,  they  would  laugh  at  the  proposi- 
tion. They  know  well  that  as  long  as  they  do  their  duty,  I 
have  nothing  to  say,  but  protect  them  against  every  one ;  but 
if  they  get  'their  back  up,'  as  we  say,  put  on  airs,  or  disobey, 
I  thrash  them  as  I  would  my  own  son." 

"In  running  off  our  negroes,"  said  another,  "the  Federals 
are  much  in  the  situation  of  a  man  who  bought  an  elephant  at 
a  sale  because  it  was  cheap!  they  do  not  know  what  to  do 
with  Sambo.  They  make  him  work  incessantly  at  breastworks 
and  feed  him  indifferently ;  but,  as  yet,  we  have  done  all  the 
ditching  ourselves,  and  Nick  yonder  laughs  when  we  return  to 
camp  wet  and  hungry.  Of  the  two,  he  is  by  far  the  better  off. 
Do  you  know  that  these  boys  charge  ten  cents  per  piece  for 
washing  clothes,  and  without  soap?  By  Jupiter,  they  are 
making  money,  and  I  have  serious  thoughts  of  entering  that 
business  myself.  But  jokes  aside,  old  Alick,  who  was  offered 
his  free  papers  for  a  three  hundred  dollar  bill,  has  made  fif- 
teen hundred  dollars  this  past  year,  and  now  does  business 
with  a  horse  and  cart,  charging  his  master  five  prices  for  every 
thing,  the  old  rogue ! 

"  What  the  Federals  will  do  with  the  darkeys  is  difficult  to 
say.  When  peace  is  declared  they  will  nearly  all  return  home ; 
some  of  them  have  already  escaped  from  the  tender  mercies  of 
'the  Yankee,  and  are  in  '  Dixie '  once  again,  fully  determined  to 
travel  away  no  more.  You  know  Pete  ?  Well  when  I  was  in 


FREE    NEGROES.  277 

Canada,  the  little  fool  took  up  a  notion  that  he  must  be  'free,' 
and  accordingly  ran  off.  I  did  not  trouble  myself  about  him, 
but  hired  a  white  boy  to  wait  on  me,  and  found  it  much  more 
inexpensive.  When  I  was  about  to  return  South  again,  up  turns 
the  rogue  Pete,  and  with  tears  in  his  eyes  begged  me  to  take 
him  home!  he  had  spent -all  his  money,  and  found  it  difficult 
to  live  as  a  '  free '  man.  I  know  several  wealthy  darkeys  in 
Louisiana — much  richer  by  far  than  I  am — who  own  planta- 
tions and  make  splendid  crops  of  sugar  and  cotton.  In  fact, 
the  free  boys  of  New-Orleans  raised  a  battalion  fifteen  hun- 
dred strong,  and  offered  themselves  for  service  to  Davis, 
&ut  were  refused !  Their  flag  had  for  motto  *  '  We  never  sur- 
render.' Think  you  one  could  prevail  upon  any  of  ihc$e  fel- 
lows to  leave  home  ?  Freedom,  however,  does  them  no  good — 
they  have  all  the  vices,  but  few  virtues  of  the  white,  and  are 
rather  a  nuisance  to  communities  than  otherwise.  The  free 
State  of  Illinois  forbids  negroes  of  any  itamp  to  reside  there, 
under  heavy  penalties.  State  Legislatures  have  enacted  laws 
forbidding  free  darkies  to  remain  in  many  of  the  cotton  States, 
for  their  habits  are  injurious  to -the  morals  of  those  in  servitude. 
But  how  do  they  evade  it  ?  Why,  rather  than  leave,  and  live 
in  free  States,  ninety-nine  out  of  every  hundred  bind  them- 
selves to  masters  again  for  form's  sake,  and  thus  remain  with 
us." 

"If  the  negro  is  really  so  unhappy  as  Northern  orators  pro- 
claim, why  do  our  servants  go  to  battle  with  us  ? — how  comes 
it  that  officers  cannot  keep  them  from  the  front  ?  You  know  as 
well  as  I,  that  Dave  behaved  gallantly  at  Manassas,  and  re- 
ceived his  free  papers  from  the  State  of  Mississippi — passed  in 
full  legislative  style — his  price  being  paid  to  the  owner  by  the 
State  treasurer ;  but  what  did  Dave  do  ?  He  still  keeps  to  his 
old  master  as  before,  and  tells  him  to  burn  his  papers  if  he 
chooses,  '  he's  as  free  as  he  wants  to  be,  while  old  massa  libs !' 
What  induces  these  servants,  to  fight  for  us  ?  I  ask  again. 
Who  induced  those  two  boys  to  leave  their  pots  and  pans,  and 
shoulder  a  musket  the  other  day,  and  get  shot?  Not  their 
owners,  certainly.  What  keeps  our  darkeys  so  quiet  and  indus- 
trious at  home,  now  that  we  are  away,  tempted  as  they  are  by 
Lincoln's  emissaries.?  Surely  one  old  white  man  cannot  sub- 


278  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

due  three  thousand  blacks  if  they  are  discontented !  Why, 
there  are  thousands  of  plantations  in  the  South  at  this  moment 
with  no  white  person  to  look  after  them,  save  our  wives  or 
grandmothers !  Do  you  find  darkeys  shouldering  muskets  and 
going  forth  to  fight  for  Lincoln  ?  In  all  my  observations  I 
never  knew  of  but  three  negroes  who  were  found  in  arms  for 
Lincoln,  and  they  were  in  the  Fifteenth  Massachusetts,  and 
pretended  to  be  dead  when  our  black  boys  found  them  on  the 
battle-field.*  Do  you  think  Nick  out  there  considers  a  North- 
ern darkey  his  equal  ?  Tell  him  so ! — you  could  not  insult 
him  more  grossly  than  to  insinuate  such  a  thing !" 

"  There  cannot  be  a  doubt,"  said  another,  "  that  blacks  have 
occasionally  been  treated  very  barbarously  by  owners,  but  it  is 
against  all  logic  to  suppose  that  any  one,  let  him  be  ever  so 
brutally  inclined,  would  wilfully  cut,  maim,  or  habitually  ill- 
treat,  that  or  those  which  were  to  him  a  source  of  profit  or 
income.  It  is  the  interest  of  a  master  to  protect  and  well  treat 
those  that  augment  his  riches,  and  to  sustain,  improve,  and  cul- 
tivate their  physical  powers,  that  they  may  continue  to  do  so, 
even  if  State  laws,  heavy  fines,  or  confiscation  of  property  did 
not  enforce  it.  This  may  account  for  the  greater  longevity  of 
blacks  over  the  whites. 

"  In  our  whole  army  there  must  be  at  least  thirty  thousand 
colored  servants  who  do  nothing  but  cook  and  wash — nine 
tenths  of  the  ditching  falls  to  our  share — yet  in  all  these  thou- 
sands I  have  yet  to  hear  of  more  than  one  hundred  who  have 
run  away  from  their  owners !  This  is  true,  although  they  are 
continually  moving  about  with  '  passes '  at  all  hours,  and  ten 
times  more  frequently  than  masters :  what  greater  opportunities 
could 'be  presented  for  escape?  They  are  roaming  in  and  out 
of  the  lines  at  all  times,  tramping  over  every  acre  of  country 
daily,  and  I  have  not  heard  of  more  than  six  instances  of  run- 
aways in  out  whole  brigade,  which  has  a  cooking  and  washing 
corps  of  negroes  at  least  one  hundred  and  fifty  strong  !  Bostick 
lost  one  in  a  singular  manner.  The  boy  was  sick,  and  his  kind, 
brave  old  master  gave  Joe  a  '  pass '  to  go  to  his  mistress  in 
Georgia — a  thousand  miles  away — together  with  fifty  dollars 

*  This  was  written  before  the  negro  regiments  were  raised  under  General  Banks 
at  New-Orleans. 


RUNAWAY  NEGROES.  279 

for  his  expenses,  and  fifty  dollars  pocket-money — all  in  gold. 
Joe  went  safely  as  far  as  Knoxville,  when  some  of  Parson 
Brownlow's  disciples  persuaded  him  to  leave  the  cars,  and  stay 
in  East-Tennessee  as  a  '  free '  man !  That  same  night  some  of 
these  Abolitionists  waylaid  the  '  free '  man  Joe,  their  recognized 
colored  'brother,'  robbed  him,  and  then  beat  his  skull  in 
pieces !  Bostick,  the  '  slaveholder  ' — that  term  which  horrifies 
Northern  free-thinkers—paid  the  best  detectives  he  could  pro- 
cure, to  find — heavily  fee'd  the  ablest  counsel  to  prosecute,  if 
found — and  finally  offered  a  reward  of  five  thousand  dollars 
for  the  arrest  of  the  murderers  of  his  slave-boy  Joe!  Another 
boy  ran  away  from  our  regiment,  and  crossed  over  to  the 
enemy ;  he  found  how  things  were,  and  returned  across  the 
river  to  '  Dixie '  again,  under  a  shower  of  .bullets.  These  are 
not  solitary  instances.  Examples  as  much  to  the  point  as  these 
might  be  cited  by  all." 

"  Major  Walton,  Chief  of  the  "Washington  (New-Orleans) 
Artillery  Corps,  had  a  boy  who  ran  away,"  said  another,  "  and 
the  rogue  informed  the  enemy  how  things  stood  at  Centreville 
during  the  winter  months  of  1861  and  1862.  His  description 
of  our  batteries  was  pretty  accurate  as  to  name  and  number, 
but  when  he  attempted  to  describe  their  positions  and  bearings, 
his  head  was  at  fault.  I  know  an  instance  of  a  boy  who  ran 
from  the  Eighteenth  Mississippi,  just  before  Manassas,  July, 
1861.  He  was  recaptured  during  the  engagement;  for  the 
Yankees  putting  him  in  the  front,  together  with  other  run- 
aways, made  him  very  uneasy,  so  he  slipped  into  our  lines 
again,  but  was  seized  by  two  colored  men,  who  observed  the 
manoeuvre,  and  was  handed  over  to  his  master.  His  owner 
refused  to  see  him,  and  the  general  wish  of  our  servants  was, 
that  he  should  be  hung  or  shot  for  a  traitor  !  He  was  given 
over  to  them,  and  met  a  death  at  their  hands  more  violent  than 
any  white  person's  anger  could  have  suggested.  Incidents  of 
this  kind,  however,  illustrative  of  the  colored  people's  loyalty 
to  the  South,  are  too  numerous  and  tedious  for  enumeration. 

"  Northern  fanatics  use  the  opening  clause  of  the  old  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  and  say,  'All  men  are  free  and  equal.' 
They  pervert  the  true  meaning  of  what  Jefferson  wrote,  but  if 
they  believe  it,  in  its  widest  sense,  as  they  preach,  why  do  not 


280  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE  SOUTH, 

i 

opulent  Abolitionists  equally  divide  their  riches  with  negroes 
who  brush  boots  ?  Jefferson,  was  a  scholar,  a  gentleman,  and  a 
Virginian,  and  could  not  mean  it  to  apply  in  a  social  sense,  or 
otherwise  his  own,  and  every  other  Southern  State,  would  have 
seceded  at  that  early  day.  It  is  from  a  wrong,  fanatical  con- 
struction put  upon  these  words  that  Abolitionism  has  grown  so 
rampant  in  the  North,  and  been  converted  into  an  instrument 
for  securing  place  and  favor,  and  therewith  the  emoluments  of 
office.  If  '  all  men  are  free  and  equal '  in  the  sense  they  pre- 
tend, the  Hottentot,  Aztec,  Digger  Indian",  Cannibal,  and  Bar* 
barian  are  our  brothers,  and  should  eat,  drink,  intermarry,  and 
share  riches  with  us. 

"  True,  in  a  spiritual  sense,  '  all  men  are  free  and  equal ;'  each 
has  a  soul  of  immortal  price  to  save,  and  the  servant  may  rise 
higher  than  his  master  in  spirituality — which  many  undoubted- 
ly do.  Against  this  we  have  nothing  to  say.  But  even  Jiere 
we  see  there  is  some  kind  of  '  inequality,'  or  all  men  would  be 
born  under  the  Christian  dispensation,  and  not  require  the  labors 
of  missionaries.  One  soul  is  equal  to  another  before  its  Creator 
only  in  so  far  as  each  fulfils  the  law  prescribed  'for  it,  but  in 
every  other  sense  the  idea  is  a  profound  absurdity. 

"  Test  the  assertion  that  all  are  born  equal  in  a  social  sense  by 
a  practical  illustration.  Does  the  black  butler  North  marry  his 
employer's  daughter?  Such  an  idea  would  turn  the  head  of 
Lincoln  himself!  Or  fancy  a  Northern  cotton-spinner  telling 
the  poor  boys  and  girls  who  work  over  seventy  hours  in  the 
week  for  some  three  or  four  dollars  of  wages,  that  '  all  men  are 
born  free  and  equal !'  Would  he  not  be  amazed  to  find  his  poor 
emaciated  employe's  demanding  an  equal  partition  of  his  profits? 
The  difference  of  Capital  and  Labor  is  well  understood  by 
Yankees  when  it  affects  themselves ;  but  although  they  eat  sugar, 
rice,  molasses,  and  grow  rich  from  the  produce  of  slave-labor, 
without  the  slightest  qualm  of  conscience,  they  treat  the  negro, 
when  amongst  them,  as  absolutely  below  the  relationship  of 
consanguinity  and  social  rights  —  yet  insist  that  we  are  barba- 
rians for  treating  them  more  humanely,  because  not  admitting 
their  chimerical  absurdities  regarding  the  abstract  questions  of 
human  freedom.  "We  are  all  slaves  in  some  degree.  Sover- 
eign to  sovereign,  and  man  to  man — it  is  in  courts  as  it  is  on 
plantations ;  place  holds  its  head  above  place,  power  above 


NEGRO  SHREWDNESS.         *  281 

power,  merit  above  demerit.  There  are  inferior  and  superior 
animals  ;  there  are  angels,  archangels,  cherubim  and  seraphim, 
all  of  God's  ordaining ;  but  while  all  harmonize  in  the  grand 
conceptions  of  an  all-powerful,  all-wise  Creator,  talent  and  merit 
can  always  break  the  bonds  of  class,  or  of  sphere,  and  ascend 
higher  and  higher  forever  ! 

"  Did  you  ever  remark  our  servants  on  a  march  ?  They  make 
me  laugh.  Soon  as  the  word  '  march'  is  whispered  abroad^ 
these  fellows  bundle  up  their  traps,  and  get  them  into  the  wag- 
ons, by  some  sort  of  sleight  of  hand,  for  I  know  that  my  bag- 
gage, with  '  little  tricks'  added,  far  outweighs  the  authorized 
sixty  pounds  —  a  captain's  allowance.  After  safely  stowing 
away  all  they  can,  the  cooks  shoulder  some  large  bundle  of 
curiosities  of  their  own,  and  with  a  saucepan,  skillet,  or  frying, 
pan,  all  march  some  fifty  yards  in  front  of  the  band,  whistling 
and  singing,  forming  in  regular  or  irregular  files,  commanded 
by  some  big  black  rogue  who,  with  a  stick  and  a  loud  voice, 
enforces  discipline,  among  his  heavy-heeled  corps.  And  thus 
they  proceed  far  ahead,  monopolizing  all  attention  as  we  pass 
through  towns  and  villages,  grinning  and  singing  as  they  go, 
and  frequently  dressed  up  in  the  full  regimentals  of  some  un- 
fortunate Yankee  or  other.  They  scour  the  country  far  and 
wide  for  chickens,  milk,  butter,  eggs,  and  bread,  for  which  they 
pay  little  or  nothing ;  always  stoutly  swearing  they  have  ex- 
pended all  '  massa '  gave  them,  and  unblushingly  asking  for 
more.  Why,  sir,  I  am  positive  Nick  and  our  other  boys  beg  or 
steal  half  they  pretend,  to  purchase;  and  yet  do  not  fail  to 
charge  us,  the  '  cruel  masters/  five  times  the  ordinary  value  of 
the  articles.  Such  is  the  wastefulness  of  these  fellows,  that  our 
pay  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  doljars  per  month  does  not  be- 
gin to  furnish  the  table  as  they  would  have  it  even  for  their  own 
eating.  The  other  day  I  gjtve  Andy  ten  dollars  for  market 
money,  and  the  wretch  brought  me  back  two  antiquated  hens, 
and  a  pound  of  fresh  butter,  '  without  a  cent  to  spare,'  as  he 
solemnly  swore !  There  is  no  such  thing  as  making  one  joint 
serve  twice — it  doesn't  suit  them ;  and  if  you  preach  economy, 
the  villains  grumble  without  end,  and  think  you  are  stingy,  or, 
what  is  worse,  whisper  that  'Massa's  gettin'  like  de  Yankees, 
now  he's  up  Norf !' " 


BATTLE-FIELDS  OF   THE  SOUTH. 

"  There's  Benton  yonder,  singing  a  song  among  the  pots," 
said  another ;  "for  two  months  he  regularly  went  over  the  fields 
to  Dr.  Edward's,  and  asked  for  milk  and  butter  '  for  the  sick,' 
and  on  returning  to  camp  sold  the  fdrmer  at  one  dollar,  fifty 
cents  per  gallon,  and  the  butter  at  one  dollar  per  pound !  His 
master  was  -enraged  when  informed  of  it,  and  made  his  hide  tin- 
gle, for  he  is  well  treated  and  has  enough  to  spend.  Besides, 
these  fellows  not  only  cook  for  us,  but  hire  themselves  out  to  dif- 
ferent messes,  and  what  with  charging  the  poor  boys  ten  cents 
each  for  washing  a  pair  of  socks  or  a  handkerchief,  bartering, 
buying  whiskey  at  five  dollars  per  gallon,  and  retailing  it  at 
fifty  cents  each  drink  of  one  eighth  pint,  they  are  making  lots 
of  money,  and  frequently  loan  it  out  at  heavy  interest. 

"I  received  a  letter  a  few  days  ago  which  informed  me  that 
the  darkeys  of  Yicksburgh  gave  a  ball,  and  realizing  one  thou- 
sand dollars,  handed  it  over  '  for  de  boys  in  Yarginny  1 ' — for  us 
their  'inhuman  masters,'  as  Northern  cant  will  have  it.  Not 
only  in  Mississippi,  but  the  colored  folks  of  every  town  in  the 
South  have  given  balls,  parties,  and  fairs,  for  our  benefit,  and 
sent  thousands  of  dollars,  clothes,  blankets,  shoes,  etc.,  for 
'  young  massa  and  de  boys.'  In  truth,  our  servants  feel  as  much 
pride  in  this  holy  war  as  we  do,  and  are  ever  ready,  as  we  have 
frequently  seen,  to  prove  in  battle  '  dat  de  Soufern  colored  man 
can  whip  a  Norfern  nigger  and  de  Yankee  to  back  him !' " 

"  Until  the  present,"  said  Frank,  "I  never  thought  our  boys 
possessed  half  so  much  spirit  as  they  do.  Fight!  why,  you 
might  as  well  endeavor  to  keep  ducks  from  water  as  to  attempt 
to  hold  in  the  cooks  of  our  company,  when  firing  or  fighting  is 
on  hand.  'In  fact,  an  order  has  been  frequently  issued  to  keep 
darkeys  to  the  rear  in  time  of  battle,  but  although  I  lectured  my 
boy  about  it,  I  was  surprised  to  find  him  behind  me  at  Manas- 
sas,  rifle  in  hand,  shouting  out :  '  Go  in,  massa !  give  it  to  'em, 
boys!  now  you've  got  'em,  and  give  'em  h — 11!' " 

"  There  was  a  very  old,  gray-haired  cook  in  an  Alabama 
regiment,"  Jenkins  remarked,  "who  would  follow  his  young 
master  to  the  war,  and  had  the  reputation  of  a  saint  among 
the  colored  boys  of  the  brigade ;  and  as  he  could  read  the 
Bible,  and  was  given  to  preaching,  he  invariably  assembled 
the  darkeys  on  Sunday  afternoon,  and  held  meetings  in  the 


A  WAELIKE   CHKISTIAN.  283 

woods.  He  used  to  lecture  them  unmercifully,  but  could  not 
keep  them  from  singing  and  dancing  after  'tattoo.'  Uncle 
Pompey,  as  he  was  called,  was  an  excellent  servant,  and  an 
admirable  cook,  and  went  on  from  day  to  day  singing  hymns 
among  Jris  pots  round  the  camp-fire,  until  the  battle  of  '  Seven 
Pines '  opened,  when  the  regiment  moved  up  to  the  front,  and 
was  soon  engaged. 

"  Uncle  Pompey,  contrary  to  orders,  persisted  in  going 
also,  but  was  met  by  another  darkey,  who  asked:  'Whar's 
you  gwine,  uncle  Pomp?  You  isn't  gwine  up  dar  to  have 
all  de  har  scorched  off  yer  head,  is  you  ? '  Uncle  Pompey 
still  persisted  in  advancing,  and  shouldering  a  rifle,  soon 
overtook  his  regiment.  'De  Lor'  hab  marcy  on  us  all, 
boys !  here  dey  comes  agin !  take  car,  massa,  and  hole 
your  rifle  square,  as  I  showed  you  in  de  swamp!  Dar  it 
is,'  he  exclaimed,  as  the  Yankees  fired  an  over-shot,  'just  as 
I  taught!  can't  shoot  worth  a  bad  five-cent  piece!  Now's 
de  time,  boys ! '  and  as  the  Alabamians  returned  a  withering 
volley  and  closed  up  with  the  enemy,  charging  them  fu- 
riously, Uncle  Pompey  forgot  all  about  his  church,  his  min- 
istry, and  sanctity,  and  while  firing  and  dodging,  as  best 
he  could,  was  heard  to  shout  out:  'Pitch  in,  white  folks  — 
uncle  Pomp's  behind  yer.  Send  all  de  Yankees  to  de  'ter- 
nal  flames,  whar  dere's  weeping  and  gnashing  of — sail  in 
Alabamy ;  stick  'em  wid  de  bayonet,  and  send  all  de  blue 
ornary  cusses  to  de  state  ob  eternal  fire  and  brimstone! 
Push  'em  hard,  boys  1  —  push  'em  hard ;  and  when  dey's 
gone,  may  de  Lor'  hab  marcy  on  de  last  one  on  'em,  and 
send  dem  to  h — 11  farder  nor  a  pigin  kin  fly  in  a  month! 

Stick  de  d— d  sons  of !  don't  spar  none  on  'em,  for  de 

good  Lor'  neber  made  such  as  dem,  no  how  you  kin  fix  it ; 
for  it  am  said  in  de  two-eyed  chapter  of  de  one-eyed  John, 

^omewhar  in  Collusions,   dat Hurray,  boys!   dat's  you, 

sure  —  now  you've  got  'em  ;  give  'em  goss !  show  'em  a  taste 
of  ole  Alabamy  1 '  etc.  The  person  who  saw  Uncle  Pom- 
pey," added  Jenkins,  "was  wounded,  and  sat  behind  a  tree, 
but  said,  although  his  hurt  was  extremely  painful,  the  elo- 
quence, r'age,  and  impetuosity  of  Pomp,  as  he  loaded  and 
fired  rapidly,  was  so  ludicrous,  being  an  incoherent  jumble 


284  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

of  oaths,  snatches  of  Scripture,  and  prayers,  that  the  tears  ran 
down  his  cheeks,  and  he  burst  out  into  a  roar  of  laughter."* 

"  Their  devotion  to  .dead  or  wounded  toasters,"  said  another, 
"has  been  exhibited  on  so  many  trying  occasions,  that  allu- 
sion to  it  may  be  unnecessary ;  but  I  have  seen  examples  of 
it,  which  were  never  exhibited  by  brothers  or  relations. 
They  would  search  for  whole  nights  and  days  for  a  wound- 
ed master,  and  pull  off  their  own  coats  to  keep  him  warm, 
tear  up  their  shirts  for  bandages,  and  in  lieu  of  a  stretcher, 
carry  him  to  hospital  on  their  backs !  Nor  did  danger  ter- 
rify them.  Directly  the  fact  was  known  that  'Massa'  had 
fallen,  the  hunt  for  him  immediately  commenced,  whether 
the  action  was  over  or  not;  and  I  have  seen  several  in- 
stances where  the  poor  boys  have  been  wounded  while  drag- 
ging their  Blasters  out  of  action.  At  present,  little  notice 
is  taken  of  these  things,  for  matters  of  greater  importance  at- 
tract attention,  but  it  cannot  be  that  acts  of  such  self-sacri- 
fice and  devotion  will  escape  notice  in  times  to  come.  Al- 
though more  bother,  expense,  and  anxiety  than  they  are 
worth,  I  am  sure  that  old  associations  are  so  strong,  we 
would  not  part  with  our  negro  servants  for  any  price.  In 
sickness  they  are  ever  watchful  for  our  safety,  as  in  the  hour 
of  danger;  and  many  a  .score  of  boys  have  I  seen  weeping 
by  the  road-side,  when  it  was  known  master  had  fallen. 

"  The  stories  our  boys  send  home  about  the  war  are  vastly 
amusing.  Some  of  the  young  soldiers  frequently  -write  for 
them ;  a  few  nights  ago,  while  I  was  reading,  Sergeant  Smith, 

*  Among  the  incidents  of  battle  near  Richmond,  the  following  amusing  scene 
is  said  to  have  occurred  near  the  Mechanicsville  road.  The  Eighth  and  Ninth 
Georgia  were  ordered  out  to  repel  the  enemy,  when,  upon  the  ^nien  falling  in,  one 
of  the  Ninth  stepped  from  the  ranks  and  told  the  captain,  "  he  wasn't  able  to  face 
the  music."  "  You  are  scared,"  said  the  captain ;  "  lay  down  your  gun  and  ac- 
coutrements, and  retire,  sir."  The  chicken-hearted  gentleman  did  so,  when  shortly 
afterwards  there  stepped  forward  a  good-looking  darkey,  named  Westley,  weir 
known  in  camp,  who  asked  permission  to  put  on  the  deserted  accoutrements,  and 
shoulder  his  gun.  The  request  being  granted,  Westley  followed  the  company  into 
action,  and  though  the  shells  and  Minie  balls  of  the  enemy  were  falling  thick  and 
fast  about  him,  Westley  never  wavered,  but  brought  down  a  Yankee  at  every  fire. 
Such  a  deed  is  worthy  of  remembrance,  and  should  inspire  our  soldiery  with  ten- 
fold energy  and  courage,  if  possible,  for  if  servants  will  do  this,  what  may  not  be 
accomplished  by  the  master  ? 


NEGRO    LETTER-WRITING.  285 

-r 

in  the  next  tent  to  me,  was  good-naturedly  writing  an  epis- 
tle to  the  wife  of  Yellow  Jim,  who  stood  by,  dictating  what 
to  |ay.  '  Tell  her,  Massa  Smif,  ef  yer  please,  dat  I'se  get- 
tin'  on  blazing,  dat  de  Yanks  is  scared  an'  won't  fight.  Tell 
her  I'se  gwine  to  save  all  my  money,  an'  will  bring  home  lots 
of  tings  from  de  battle-fiel.  Tell  her  I'se  got  a  big  shell  what 
fell  among  de  dishes  todder  day,  and  dat  when  it  busted,  it 
knocked  de  turkey  an'  soup  higher  dan  a  kite  —  which  it 
did:  but  dis  chile  wasn't  on  hand  about  dat  time,  for  he 
heern  it  screechin'  an'  comin'  along,  an'  he  just  lay  low  be- 
hin'  a  big  oak,  four  feet  thick !  but  you  needna  tell  her  dat, 
Massa  Smif,  kase  she  mought  tink  I  was  one  ob  dem  skary 
darkies,  which  ebery  body  knows  is  a  lie ;  for  I  woughpt  big 
black  Bill  todder  ebenin'  in  less  nor  no  time,  Massa  Smif,  an' 
made  dat  black  nigger's  head  bigger  dan  de  soup-kettle  — 
ask  all  de  boys  ef  I  didn't !  And  tell  her,  Massa  Smif,  ef 
you  please,  dat  de  kernal  and  all  de  big  boys  sez  I'm  de  best 
cook  on  de  place,  'cept  your  nigger,  Massa  Smif.  And  tell 
her  I'se  been  totin'  about  a  whul  lot  o'  tings  for  her,  an'  has 
a  Yankee  gineral's  clothes,  which  I'se  gwine  to  ware  de  fust 
time  I  sees  her ;  and  say  I  sends  'spects  to  ole  massa  and  all 
de  folks  up  to  de  house,  an'  dat  young  massa  hasn't  woughpt 
me  neary  once  since  I'se  been  in  ole  Virginny,  and  says  he's 
goin'  to  give  me  my  '  papers '  when  de  war  is  over,  if  I  wants 
to.  You  needn't  tell  her,  Massa  'Smif,  dat  de  guard  put  me 
in  de  Calaboose  for  getting  tight,  for  young  massa's  been  in 
dere  twice  for  the  same  ting.  Any  body  gets  tight  once  in 
a  while,'  etc." 


CHAPTEE  XXX. 

June — Jackson  in  the  Valley — Shields  and  Fremont — Battle  of  "Cross  Keys" — 
Ashby  killed — Battle  of  "  Port  Republic  " — End  of  the  Valley  Campaign,  and 
Rout  of  the  Bnemy. 

"  Charlottesville,  June  2CM,  1862. 

"DEAR  FRIEND:  In  my  last  I  informed  you  that  before 
Jackson  left  Page  Yalley  to  attack  Banks's  rear  in  the  Shenan- 
doah,  Shields  had  already  left,  and  gone  eastwards  across  the* 
Blue  Kidge,  towards  Fredericksburgh ;  also,  that  Fremont  was 
across  the  Alleghanies,  with  Milroy  and  'Blenker,  too  distant 
to  afford  Banks  any  support,  so  that  we  were  enabled  to  attack 
him  with  impunity. .  You  will  remember  that  Banks,  after  his 
route,  crossed  the  Potomac,  and  that  our  army  remained  in  pos- 
session  of  the  immense  booty  we  had  taken.  I  will  now  relate 
the  events  that  followed. 

"  Jackson  was  now  anxiously  watching  the  movements  of 
Shields  and  Fremont,  who  from  the  east  and  west  might  cross 
the  mountains,  re-enter  the  valley,  and  cut  off  his  retreat.  We 
had  not  lain  idle  more  than  a  week,  when  it  became  known  that 
both  those  commanders  had  turned  the  heads  of  their  respective 
columns  towards  Strasburgh,  fifty  miles  to  our  rear,  and  were 
rapidly  marching  to  that  point,  thinking  that,  should  they 
reach  there  in  time,  we  might  be  compelled  to  accept  battle 
from  their  joint  forces  (thirty  thousand)  or  surrender  at  discre- 
tion. Thus  menaced,  it  was  obviously  necessary  for  Jackson  to 
hurry  on  his  movements,  and  he  did  so  with  more  than  usual 
expedition.  Having  destroyed  all  the  baggage  that  could  not 
be  transported,  he  turned  his  column  towards  Strasburgh,  and 
commenced  a  backward  movement  in  the  last  days  of  May. 
The  roads  were  in  fair  condition,  and  marching  very  rapidly, 
we  drew  near  the  town  on  the  third  day.  Little  rest  was  al- 
lowed, and  all  pushed  forward  with  remarkable  celerity. 

"As  we  approached  Strasburgh,  our  advance  cavalry  were 


MOVEMENTS  OF  JACKSON.  287 

opposed  by  the  enemy  on  the  Pike,  and  were  positively  inform- 
ed that  Shields  and  Fremont  were  already  there.  These  com- 
manders, however,  had  not  formed  a  junction,  but  were  in  sight 
of  each  other — the  first-named  on  the  east,  and  the  latter  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Shenandoah  Eiver,  which  at  this  point  is  not 
very  wide.  So  long  as  they  had  not  joined  their  forces  Jackson 
cared  but  little,  feeling  confident  of  soundly  thrashing  either  of 
them;  indeed,  he  urould  not  have  hesitated  to  attack  both1  had 
they  stopped  his  march.  We  had  destroyed  all  the  bridges  in 
our  route,  and  as  Fremont  could  not  well  attack  us  on  the  flank, 
and  Shields  was  doomed  to  be  a  spectator  for  want  of  bridges 
to  cross,  Jackson  boldly  marched  forward,  drove  in  Fremont's 
Dutch  cavalry,  took  up  a  position  between  two  mountains,  and 
offered  battle  to  Fremont,  or  to  both,  should  they  choose  to  join 
forces  for  that  purpose.  Fremont  was  mortified  to  find  Jackson 
so  strongly  posted,  -and  as  he  could  not  be  flanked,  and  his 
troops  were  unreliable  for  a  desperate  attack  in  front,  he  de- 
ferred all  movements  for  a  few  hours,  hoping  that  in  the  mean 
time  Shields  could  devise  means  for  crossing. 

"  Those  few  hours'  delay  were  ruinous  to  both  Federal  com- 
manders, for  during  the  night  Jackson  decamped,  and  in  the 
morning  Shields  and  Fremont  looked  in  vain  for  him.  The 
weather  now  proved  unfavorable  for  fast  marching,  and  rain 
began  to  pour  in  torrents,  rendering  the  roads  impassable. 
Still,  onward  pushed  our  army  down  the  Pike,  as  hard  as 
mortals  could  go ;  for  there  was  no  doubt  our  successes  and  es- 
capes had  greatly  exasperated  the  enemy,  and,  numerous  as 
they1  were,  and  perfectly  fresh,  they  would  leave  nothing  un- 
done to  overtake  and  punish  us,  if  they  could.  Dashing  along 
the  muddy  roads  Tis  best  we  might,  Ashby  and  his  cavalry  in 
the  rear  skirmishing  and  bridge-burning,  we  endeavored  to 
reach  Mount  Jackson,  that  point  being  considered  a  place  of , 
safety.  It  was  surmised  by  some  that  Shields  might  push 
through  Page  Valley  and  appear  in  front,  while  Fremont  fol- 
lowed up  the  rear ;  and  this  he  might  have  done,  had  he  been 
daring  enough  to  attempt  it.  Still  marching  as  fast  as  possible, 
our  wearied  force  at  last  reached  the  vicinity  of  a  small  village 
called  Edinburgh,  and,  crossing  the  Shenandoah,  burned  the 
bridge.  "We  were  now  not  far  from  Mount  Jackson ;  but  the 


288  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

army  was  s6  fatigued  with  its  long  march  over  a  muddy,  rough, 
and  hilly  country,  that  a  '  halt '  was  absolutely  necessary.  Fre- 
mont's pursuit  was  completely  checked  by  the  destruction  of 
the  bridge;  and,  as  a  further  precaution,  while  the  infantry 
were  resting  several  miles  beyond,  Ashby's  cavalry  watched 
the  banks. 

"  The  Federals  were  greatly  disappointed  to  find  the  bridge 
gone,  but  manfully  began  to  rebuild  it.  This  was  a  work  of  sev- 
eral days — a  respite  gratefully  improved  by  our  exhausted  men ; 
but  it  becoming  known  that  the  enemy  had  again  crossed,  and 
were  in  pursuit,  our  main  army  took  up  the  line  of  march  to- 
wards Harrisonburgh,  while  Ashby,  as  usual,  was  in  the  rear 
with  his  cavalry.  The  enemy  were  far  superior  to  us  in  horse — 
they  were  more  numerous,  and  their  animals  in  excellent  con- 
dition, so  that  it  required  great  exertions  on  the  part  of  Ashby 
to  check  their  determined  onslaughts.  Every  rise  in  the  road 
was  seized  by  our  men,  and  held  as  long  as  practicable;  'each 
patch  of  timber  concealed  some  of  our  horsemen ;  so  that  al- 
though the  enemy  evinced  more  ardor  and  courage  than  ever 
witnessed  before,  our  frequent  ambuscades  cost  them  dearly. 
From  early  morning  until  evening,  all  along  the  route,  cavalry 
skirmishing  was  incessant,  so  that  Ashby's  regiment  of  one 
thousand  men  was  completely  broken  down  with  fatigue. 

"As  we  neared  Harrisonburgh,  evening  was  fast  approaching, 
and  the  column  turned  towards  '  Brown's  Gap.'  The  enemy 
seemed  to  understand  the  importance  of  this  movement,  and 
pushed  our  rear-guard  more  fiercely  than  ever.  Our  cavalry 
had  charged  the  enemy,  and  driven  their  horsemen  upon  the 
infantry ;  but  a  full  brigade  came  galloping  forward,  and  we 
retired.  The  brigade  of  Ashby  now  came  up,  and,  with  loud 
shouts,  attacked  the  Yankees  and  completely  routed  them,  kill- 
ing and  wounding  many,  capturing  several ;  among  the  latter 
their  brigadier-general,  a  fine,  soldierly,  and  handsome  English- 
man, named  Wyndham.  This  officer  loudly  cursed  his  com- 
mand in  unmeasured  terms  for  cowardice,  swearing  roundly 
that  he  would  never  serve  with  them  again ;  for  although  he 
had  been  urging  them  forward  the  whole  day,  and  personally 
leading,  he  could  make  nothing  of  them. 

"  Finding  that  the  enemy's  infantry  were  near  at  hand,  Ashby 


DEATH  OF  ASHBY.  289 

sent  information  to  Swell,  who  soon  countermarched  three 
regiments,  and  made  dispositions  for  attack.  The  enemy  de- 
ployed their  men  right  and  left  of  the  road,  and  advancing 
through  the  woods  some  distance  without  opposition,  com- 
menced cheering  lustily.  Several  open  fields  intervened,  and 
their  '  Bucktail  Eifles '  (Pennsylvania  Keserve  Corps)  came  for- 
ward in  fine  style ;  but  as  they  approached  a  strip  of  woods,  on 
each  side  the  road,  our  infantry  rose  up,  and  delivered  a  volley 
full  in  their  faces,  and  charged  upon  them.  They  broke  and 
ran,  and  while  doing  so,  out  rushed  Ashby's  cavalry,  and  over- 
taking them  in  open  ground,  cut  and  thrust  witheut  mercy, 
driving  them  in  confusion  upon  their  reserves.  It  was  now  so 
dark  that,  afraid  of  further  ambuscades,  the  enemy  halted,  and 
we  continued  our  retreat. 

"  I  have  now  a  sad  event  to  relate.  ^VTiile  Ashby  was  lead- 
ing the  First  Maryland  infantry  in  a  successful  charge,  an  ene- 
my concealed  in  the  bushes,  and  favored  by  darkness,  took 
deliberate  aim  and  mortally  wounded  him.  Judge  of  the  uni- 
versal grief  when  this  was  known.  Ashby,  the  chivalric  cav- 
alry leader,  loved  by  all,  to  close  his  immortal  career  by  the 
shot  of  an  unseen  enemy  I  Alas !  my  friend,  this  was  a  sad 
blow  to  us,  and  to  our  cause,  for  he  was  the  ablest  and  most 
dashing  officer  in  the  service — gentle  and  kind,  brave  to  rash- 
ness, idolized  by  all  ranks,  and  feared  by  all  enemies.*  The 

*  A  friend  of  mine  published  the  following  regarding  the  last  day  of  Ashby's 
life :  "  It  was  a  busy  one.  Scarcely  had  he  ordered  his  baggage  train  to  proceed 
before  the  enemy  opened  fire  upon  his  camp.  With  but  two  companies  of  his  old 
cavalry  he  prepared  to  meet  them ;  seeing  this,  they  immediately  withdrew.  The 
command  was  then  moved  slowly  through  Harrisonburgh,  and  drawn  up  three  hun- 
dred yards  from  the  opposite  end.  Soon  a  regiment  of  '  blue  coata '  came  charging 
it  through  town,  around  the  bond,  in  full  eight  of  Ashby's  men,  who  stood  as  if 
fixed  to  the  ground.  When  within  a  short  distance  the  enemy's  horse  began  to 
slacken  their  speed,  only  giving  us  time  to  render  the  salute  due  them.  Soon  their 
ranks  were  broken,  and  in  confusion  they  fled  through  the  streets. 

"  Never  before  had  I  heard  our  noble  general  utter  such  a  shout  It  was  not  one 
caused  by  victory  over  a  brave  foe  after  a  hard  contested  fight,  but  only  seemed 
designed  to  shame  an  ignominious  band  for  running  before  they  were  hurt.  We 
had  begun  to  entertain  a  high  opinion  of  this  body  of  cavalry.  In  one  instance  it 
flanked  and  charged  upon  a  battery,  which  was  left  without  a  support — a  most 
daring  feat  for  them.  (Here  General  Ashby  stood  by  the  guns,  fired  every  load 
from  his  three  pistols,  and  brought  every  thing  away  safely.)  Soon  we  were  moving 
flong  the  road  to  Port  Republic,  the  enemy  pressing  closely.  Ashby's  eagle  eye 
19 


290  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF%  THE  SOUTH. 

-rest  of  our  march  was  a  melancholy  one.  "We  had  beaten  back 
the  enemy,  it  is  true ;  but  not  a  thousand  such  successful  com- 
bats could  compensate  for  the  untimely  death  of  our  beloved 
and  gentle  Ashby ;  meek  as  a  child  in  peace,  fierce  as  a  tiger 
in  battle,  night  and  day  in  the  saddle,  ever  restless  and  watch- 
ful, always  in  advance  when  danger  threatened.  To  see  him 
ride  to  the  front  in  the  crisis  of  battle,  and,  waving  his  sword, 
shout  out,  '  Follow  me  1 '  was  a  sight  which  none  will  forget 

was  upon  them,  as  watching  for  an  excuse  to  give  them  battle.     An  excuse,  and 
even  the  necessity  for  a  fight,  soon  became  evident. 

"  The  road  was  very  bad,  the  train  moved  slowly,  and  the  main  body  of  the  ene- 
my's cavalry  was  only  a  mile  from  its  rear.  They  gave  us  'no  time  to  prepare  to 
meet  them.  Ashby  had  but  begun  to  form  his  men,  before  three  regiments,  with 
colors  flying  and  bands  playing,  emerged  from  a  wood  three  quarters  of  a  mile  dis- 
tant. Bearing  to  our  right,  they  charged,  presenting  a  beautiful  sight.  Ashby 
could  contain  himself  no  longer.  Gently  drawing  his  sabre,  and  waving  it  around 
his  head,  his  clear-sounding  voice  rang  out  his  only  command  :  '  Follow  me.'  The 
dash  was  simultaneous.  Fences  were  cleared  which  at  any  other  time  would  have 
been  thought  impossible.  The  enemy  came  to  a  halt.  It  was  but  for  a  moment. 
As  they  heard  the  strange  whizz  of  the  sabre  around  their  heads,  they  broke  and  ran. 
The  work  of  slaughter  commenced.  At  every  step  Ashby,  followed  closely  by  his 
men,  cut  them  down,  or  sent  them  to  the  rear.  For  two  miles  and  a  half  the  chase 
continued,  and  became  more  bloody  at  every  step.  Never  before  did  our  General 
or  his  men  use  their  sabres  so  unsparingly.  None  but  those  who  have  witnessed  a 
similar  scene  can  imagine  the  spectacle.  Enraged  by  deeds  too  horrible  to  men- 
tion, led  by  a  general  whose  presence  exerted  a  mystic  influence  over  every  heart, 
the  bravery  of  .the  men  knew  no  limit,  and  seldom  was  a  summons  to  surrender 
heard.  The  scattered  fragments  of  the  three  regiments  hid  themselves  behind  their 
column  of  infantry  three  miles  beyond  the  point  of  attack  ;  and  the  pursuit  ended 
not  until  this  infantry  opened  fire.  Here  Ashby  drew  up  his  men,  and  remained 
beneath  their  fire,  and  waited  for  reenforcements  from  Jackson.  We  took  forty- 
four  prisoners — among  them  the  colonel  commanding  the  brigade  of  cavalry.  The 
infantry  having  arrived,  Generals  Ashby,  Ewell,  and  Stewart  (of  Maryland)  led  them 
to  the  fight.  Here  Ashby's  gallantry  could  not  have  been  excelled.  Having  led 
the  First  Maryland  regiment  in  a  charge,  which  sent  the  enemy  flying  from  that 
quarter,  he  sought  the  Fifty-eighth  Virginia,  and  still  between  the  two  fires  he 
ordered  the  charge.  His  horse  fell  dead ;  he  arose,  beckoned  to  the  men,  and 
whilst  hi  the  very  act,  a  ball  entered  low  in  his  left  side,  came  out  near  the  right 
breast,  and  shattered  his  right  wrist.  Falling  mortally  wounded,  not  even  a  groan 
or  a  sigh  was  uttered  by  the  dying  hero.  He  was  brave  whilst  living,  braver  still 
in  death.  The  men  were  not  discouraged,  but  pressed  on,  and  soon  the  victory 
was  ours.  Night  closed  the  fighting.  The  noble  Ashby  fell  between  six  and  seven 
in  the  evening.  The  news  went  like  a  flash  through  our  lines.  Every  heart  waa 
wounded.  The  aged,  the  young,  and  hard-hearted  wept.  Nature  made  deeper  the 
gloom  5  and  soon  the  darkness  of  the  night  made  still  darker  the  regions  of  the 
mind.  He  now  sleeps  in  the  University  Burying-Ground,  near  Charlottesville." 


MILITARY    MANOEUVRING.  »          201 

who  witnessed  it.  Gentle,  good,  kind,  Christian,  heroic  soldier, 
a  host  in  himself — may  he  rest  his  honored  head  in  peace,  and 
posterity  honor  his  name  for  his  countless  acts  of  daring  and 
chivalry  I 

"  Having  retreated  during  the  night,  we  halted  two  miles 
from  the  village  of  Port  Republic,  and  watched  a  further  de- 
velopment of  the  enemy's  plans.  Shields's  division  was  on  the 
east,  and  Fremont's  on  the  west  side  of  the  Shenandoah  River, 
nearly  parallel,  and  it  seemed  the  latter  was  desirous  of  attack- 
ing Jackson  while  Shields  should  cross  the  bridge  at  Port  Re- 
public and  get  in  the  rear :  the  commanders  were  in  sight  of 
each  other,  and  not  more  than  two  miles  apart.  But  if  they 
imagined  that  Jackson  would  be  so  silly  as  to  leave  the  bridge 
unguarded  on  his  right  flank  and  rear,  they  were  egregiously 
mistaken ;  our  commander  having  made  it  his  first  object  to 
secure  and  cover  the  bridge  with  artillery,  but  so  concealed 
that  only  a  few  infantry  were  visible  to  the  enemy.  Next 
morning  (June  seventh)  Fremont  slowly  advanced,  and  cavalry 
skirmishing  was  incessant  all  day,  but  with  little  effect  on  either 
side.  The  Federal  commander  wished  to  draw  out  Jackson 
from  the  bridge,  and  a  fine  position  he  had  taken ;  but  that 
crafty  leader  laughed  at  him  and  remained  where  he  was,  so 
that  if  the  enemy  were  determined  to  fight,  an  advance  was  the 
only  course  left  open  to  them. 

"The  advantage  gained  by  fast  marching  is  here  apparent, 
for  had  we  been  less  active,  Shields  would  have  advanced  up 
the  east  bank  of  the  river,  and,  having  secured  the  bridge  at 
Port  Republic,  would  have  crossed  over,  and  got  in  front.  It 
was  fortunate,  therefore,  that  Jackson  had  been  able  to  out-race 
them,  and  arrive  first.  On  the  evening  of  the  seventh,  after 
cavalry  had  ceased  skirmishing  for  the  day,  I  ascended  a  hill, 
and  had  a  fine  view  of  Fremont's  and  Shields's  commands. 
They  were  then  abreast  of  each  other,  on  different  sides  of  the 
river,  but  made  no  disposition  for  uniting,  nor  had  any  bridges 
been  begun  for  that  purpose,  while  we  hugged  the  west  bank  in 
close  proximity  to  the  bridge,  and  waited  for  Fremont,  whose 
advance  had  already  begun.  Duritig  the  night  of  the  seventh, 
scouts  came  in  and  informed  us  that  Fremont  had  marched  two 
miles  towards  us,  and  was  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle  at  a  place 


r 

* 
$92  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  -hlE  SOUTH. 

called  Cross  Keys.  It  was  not  a  village ;  there  were  no  more 
than  half  a  dozen  houses  scattered  around,  and  all  that  gave  it 
a  name  was  a  rude  country  church  and  cemetery. 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  eighth,  we  were  already  prepared 
for  them,  bat  nothing  more  than  heavy  artillery  fire  took  place, 
and  many  imagined  that  nothing  of  importance  would  trans- 
pire. In  the  afternoon,  however,  infantry  skirmishing  brought 
on  a  fierce  engagement,  and  for  a  time  the  fight  was  hot  and 
heavy,  "We  had  not  more  than  seven  thousand  engaged,  and 
they  about  ten  thousand;  and,  although  wo  rapidly  gamed 
,  ground,  they  manoauvred  so  well  that  we  accomplished  little. 
Artillery  fire  was  fierce  on  both  sides,  and  several  houses  were 
quickly  destroyed  by  our  joint  efforts,  for,  being  finely  placed, 
each  was  afraid  of  the  other  occupying  them.  During  the  en- 
gagement in  a  little  valley,  it  was  discovered  that  Shields's 
cavalry  advance  was  endeavoring  to  surprise  and  capture  the 
bridge,  and  had  already  driven  away  our  infantry ;  but  when 
the  head  of  their  column  appeared  intent  on  crossing,  several 
guns  opened  on  them  with  grape  and  canister,  killing  and 
maiming  dozens  at  every  discharge.  Finding  it  impossible  to 
force  a  passage,  Shields  withdrew  two  miles  down  the  river, 
and  left  Fremont  to  fight  his  own  battle. 

u  As  night  approached,  events  were  progressing  favorably  for 
us;  wo  had  driven  the  enemy  from  the  field,  and  had  pursued 
them  more  than  a  mile,  capturing  many  prisoners,  and  small 
arms;  but  as  another  and  a  fiercer  battle  was  in  store,  Jackson 
halted,  hurriedly  buried  his  dead,  and  secured  his  prisoners,  and 
finding  that  Fremont  had  fallen  back  to  Uarrisonburgh,  a  dis- 
tance of  three  miles,  determined  to  attack  Shields  on  the  other 
side  oftho  river.  His  entire  force  having  crossed  about  midnight, 
and  his  baggage-train  being  safe  on  its  way  towards  Charlottes- 
villo,  Jackson,  destroyed  tho  bridge,  and  prepared  his  men  for 
the  battlo  of  Port  Republic,  which  was  to  take  place  early  in 
the  morning,  drawing  up  his  lines  as  close  as  possible  to  the 
enemy.  As  the  sun  rose  I  observed  that  Shields's  force  was 
admirably  posted  between  two  hills,  his  wings  being  much 
higher  than  the  centre,  with  artillery  on  the  hill-sides  to 
strengthen  them.  They  occupied,  in  fact,  the  comer  of  x 
valley;  and  it  seemed  impossible  to  flank  thAn,  mountains 
being  on  theft  left,  and  the  river  on  the  right  Their  guns 


.     ;•••  BATTLE  OF  PORT  REPUBLIC.  293 

also  were  all  admirably  disposed,  and  had  full  command  of 
every  approach ,  so  that  when  heavy  skirmishing  opened  at 
eight  A.M.,  it  seemed  evident  to  many  that  although  we  were  of 
equal  force,  except  in  artillery,  it  would  prove  a  tough  and 
sanguinary  experiment  before  the  enemy  could  be  dislodged 
from  their  stronghold ;  add  to  this,  they  held  the  road  for  re- 
treat, and  could  destroy  every  man  of  us,  should  we  endeavor 
to  follow  them  between  the  mountains. 

"Nothing  daunted,  and  assured  that  Fremont  was  unwilling, 
were  he  able,  to  cross  and  join  commands,  Jackson  opened  the 
fight  with  great  vigor,  being  determined  to  close  his  brilliant 
Valley  campaign  with  a  signal  victory  over  his  old  enemy. 
Afraid  to  move  forward  from  the  mountains,  Tyler  (for  Shields 
was  absent)  seemed  content  to  stay  where  he  was,  and  would 
not  meet  us  in  open  ground,  so  that  we  suffered  somewhat 
in  approaching  him.  Several  attempts  were  made  to  turn  hia 
flanks,  and  capture  the  guns,  without  success,  yet  in  every  in- 
stance where  they  advanced,  our  troops  immediately  rushed  to 
the  attack  with  loud  yells,  and  drove  the  enemy  back  with 
slaughter.  Again  and  again,  we  used  every  possible  stratagem 
to  draw  them,  and  when  all  failed,  we  pushed  up  in  front,  de- 
termined to  bring  the  affair  to  a  finish. 

"  While  pushing  them  severely  in  front  aad  attracting  atten- 
tion by  the  vigor  of  our  attack,  a  small  force  was  sent  along 
the  mountain-side  on  their  flank,  which  suddenly  charging 
down  their  rear,  filled  the  wing  with  consternation;  at  the 
same  time  a  body  of  chosen  troops,  bent  on  death  or  glory, 
rushed  up  hill  on  the  opposite  wing,  and  after  a  sharp  and  san- 
guinary encounter,  seized  the  guns.  The  effect  of  these,  daring 
and  successful  movements  was  electrical.  Finding  both  wings 
broken  and  showers  of  small  shot  assailing  the  centre,  the  ene- 
my rallied  and  endeavored  to  dispossess  us,  but  in  a  struggle  of 
infantry  against  infantry  the  result  ceased  to  be  doubtful.  As 
soon  as  the  enemy  appeared  in  line,  to  renew  the  combat  on 
the  wings,  our  men  there  raised  a  terrific  yell,  and  advancing 
at  the  "  double-quick,"  dodged  the  enemy's  volley,  and  rushing 
into  them  with  the  bayonet,  drove  them  in  confusion  on  the 
centre,  which  Jackson  was  now  assailing  with  every  disposable 


294  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

man,  shot  and  shell  flying  over  us,  and  dealing_destruction  on 
the  enemy. 

Tyler  perceived  that  tell  was  over,  that  his  troops  were  thor- 
oughly beaten,  and  could  not  be  rallied,  and  now  fought  des- 
perately to  keep  open  the  road  for  retreat.  The  destruction 
was  immense,  for  crowded  as  they  were,  every  shot  told  with 
marked  effect,  and  such  was  the  panic  that  seized  them,  hun- 
dreds scattered  over  the  hills,  while  in  the  distance  our  cavalry 
might  be  seen  in  every  direction  charging  on  the  hill-sides  far 
above  the  battle-field.  The  battle  had  raged  from  eight  A.M. 
until  past  noon,  and  the  field  presented  a  harrowing  sight  as  we 
pushed  forward  in  pursuit.  Five  or  six  pieces  of  artillery, 
thousands  of  small  arms,  dozens  of  wagons  filled  with  stores, 
many  ambulances,  twelve  wagon-loads  of  ammunition,  hun- 
dreds of  prisoners,  several  standards,  tents,  camp  equipage, 
horses,  pistols,  sabres — all  were  scattered  about  as  we  rushed 
forward  in  the  chase,  and  such  was  the  ardor  of  our  men,  that 
their  vengeance  seemed  insatiable,  while  an  enemy  remained 
in  sight. 

"  But  the  most  singular  incident  of  the  day  was  Fremont's 
behavior.  Hearing  that  we  had  crossed  to  the  east  side  of  the 
river,  and  were  thrashing  Shields's  command,  he  formed  his 
division  and  marched  from  Harrisonburgh  towards  the  scene,  and 
finding  the  bridge  gone,  began  shelling  across  in  all  directions ; 
this  he  continued  doing  for  several  ho^urs,  so  that  many  who 
.  were  burying  the  enemy's  dead  were  killed  or  maimed.  White 
flags  were  displayed,  but  this  heroic  gentleman  would  not  re- 
spect our  labors,  but  continued  firing  without  intermission  long 
after  the  fight  had  closed  !  How  very  valiant  this  was  1* 

"  "When  night  closed  in  we  found  that  our  killed  and  wound- 
ed amounted  to  three  hundred,  and  that  of  the  enemy  to  one 
thousand,  not  counting  the  fight  of  Cross  Keys,  where  our  loss 
was  three  hundred,  and  that  of  Fremont  five  hundred.  * 

"  Thus  ended  Jackson's  memorable  campaign  in  the  Yalley,  a 

*  General  Patterson,  in  a  recent  speech  at  Philadelphia,  gave  Fremont's  charac- 
ter in  brief.  He  declared  that  he  was  "a  statesman  withdut  a  speech,  a  soldier 
without  a  battle,  and  a  millionaire  with  '  naPp  red.'  "  He  could  only  abbreviate 
the  description  by  calling  him  an  unmitigated  humbug.  His  staff  usually  comprised 
nearly  sixty  officers. 


ROUT  OF  THE   FEDERALS.  295 

chapter  in  history  which  is  without  parallel,  but  though  the  ma- 
jority think  that  these  movements  were  all  his  own,  it  may  not 
be  so.  He  was  constantly  in  receipt  of  orders  from  Lee,  and  he 
faithfully  obeyed  them.  No  man  in  the  army  is  half  so  obedient  as 
old  'Stonewall,'  or  so  determined  to  be  obeyed ;  the  result  is,  that 
no  army  has  shown  greater  endurance,  marched  farther,  fought? 
more  frequently,  suffered  less,  or  done 'half  the  work  that  has 
fallen  to  our  lot.  Our  men  seem  to  know  intuitively  the  de- 
signs of  their  cpmmander.3,  and  they  second  them  without  a 
murmur.  ;  Where  we -are  marching  to  now,  I  cannot  form  the 
least  idea,  but  as  we  move  eastward,  it  is  whispered  that  we  go 
to  Charlottesville  to  recruit,  and  after  being  heavily  reenforced, 
may  re-enter  the  Valley  again,  and  perhaps  push  for  Maryland. 
All  at  present  is  profound  mystery,  but  I  am  sincerely  rejoiced 
at  the  prospect  of  some  little  rest. 

"  A  messenger  starts  to-night  across  country  for  Richmond, 
and  I  hurriedly  close  to  send  by  him.      Yours,       ASHTON." 


CHAPTER  XXXI.  ' 

June — Stuart's  famous  Raid  round  McClellan's  Lines  before  Richmond — Cowardice 
of  the  Enemy — Incidents  at  each  Stage  of  the  March — Gallantry  of  a  Young 
Lady — Attack  on  a  Railway  Train — Appropriation  of  McClellan's  Stores — Return 
to  Camp  with  Booty  and  Prisoners — Sketch  of  General  Stuart — Affair  at  Drains- 
ville — General  Joe  Johnston. 

FROM  the  preparations  in  progress  it  was  apparent  that  op- 
erations would  soon  recommence  on  a  scale  far  surpassing  any 
thing  hitherto  attempted.  Longstreet  and  Hill  on  our  right,  on 
the  Charles  City  road,  made  frequent  reconnoissances  towards 
the  interior  and  the  river  to  ascertain  the  enemy's  strength  and 
position  on  their  left  wing.  McClellan  never  opposed  these 
movements,  and  was  possibly  unconscious  'of  them,  for  they 
were  chiefly  made  at  night,  or  in  unpropitious  weather,  when 
our  Generals  would  frequently  sally  forth  on  a  march  of  ten 
miles,  and  return  almost  without  the  knowledge  of  the  main 
body  of  the  army. 

By  these  movements  Lee  had  satisfied  himself  of  McClellan's 
true  position  on  our  right,  and  felt  convinced  he  possessed  but 
few  and  unimportant  depots  on  the  James  River,  or  the  Chick- 
ahominy ;  but  had  established  communication  with  the  York 
River  to  his  right  and  rear,  as  being  safer  to  navigate,  some 
considerable  distance  nearer  to  his  head-quarters,  and  aifording 
greater  facility  of  transportation  by  the  York  River  railroad, 
which  ran  through  the  centre  of  his  lines.  The  Brook  Church, 
or  Hanover  Court-House  turnpike,  (leading  from  Richmond  to 
Hanover  Court-House,  the  White  House  on  the  Pamunkey 
River,  and  West-Point  on  the  York  River,)  was  McClellan's 
right,  situated  in  a  fine,  open,  undulating  country,  highly  culti- 
vated and  picturesque.  This  turnpike  was  the  extreme  left  of 
our  lines,  and  chiefly  held  by  cavalry,  and  a  few  pieces  of  ar- 
tillery, placed  in  several  fine  redoubts  sweeping  all  approach. 


STUART  S  CAVALRY  RAID.  297 

To  ascertain  the  enemy's  position,  resources,  and  force  through 
this  line  of  country,  seemed  to  be  an  absorbing  thought  'with 
General  Lee,  and  although  the  army  was  not  up  to  the  stand- 
ard he  desired,  and  unfit  for  immediate  offensive  operations,  he 
felt  desirous  of  ascertaining  beyond  all  doubt  what  McClellan 
had  done  in  seizing  upon  the  natural  positions  of  the  country, 
establishing  depots,  obstructing  old  or  forming  new  roads,  etc. 

Unknown  to  any,  Brigadier-General  J.  E.  B.  Stuart  received 
orders  and  prepared  a  small  force  to  make  an  incursion  upon 
McClellan's  rear,  and  inform  himself  as  ft,r  as  practicable  upon 
all  the  points  mentioned.  Selecting  parts  of  the  First  Virginia 
Cavalry,  (Colonel  Fitz-Hugh  Lee,  son  of  our  chief,)  Xinth  Vir- 
ginia Cavalry,  (Colonel  Fitz-Hugh  Lee,  nephew  of  our  chie£) 
-,  four  pieces  of  Stuart's  Flying  Artillery,  and  four  companies  of 
the  Jeff  Davis  Mounted  Legion,  all  proceeded  down  the  Branch 
turnpike,  on  Wednesday  evening,  and  bivouacked  in  the  woods. 
From  scouts,  out  several  days  before,  it  was  ascertained  that 
the  enemy  had  a  strong  force  of  cavalry  quartered  on  the  pro- 
posed route,  and  that  a  fight  would  be  inevitable.  Eising  with 
the  sun,  Stuart,  with  his  fourteen  hundred  men,  dashed  along 
the  roads,  and  as  the  enemy's  pickets  were  unable  to  tell  what 
the  immense  cloud  of  dust  meant  which  they  descried  in  the 
distant  landscape,  our  force  actually  rode  through  one  of  their 
cavalry  encampments  before  the  alarm  was  given.  The  enemy 
were  for  the  most  part  absent  at  the  time,  and  sustained  but 
little  loss  save  the  total  destruction  of  their 'stores,  the  capture 
of  their  spare  horses,  and  a  few  prisoners.  These  latter,  being 
mounted,  were  placed  in  charge  of  the  rear-guard,  and  the  ex- 
cursion proceeded. 

The  delay  at  this  camp  had  given  the  enemy  warning,  and 
when  Stuart  progressed  some  miles  farther,  several  squadrons 
of  United  States  dragoons  were  observed  drawn  up  on  a  slope 
ready  to  receive  him.  A  halt  was  sounded,  two  squadrons  were 
sent  forward,  who  dashed  upon  the  enemy  at  full  gallop.  The 
Federals  remained  long  enough  to  discharge  their  revolvers, 
and  not  attempting  to  charge  down-hill,  broke  and  fled  preci- 
pitously. Their  officers  were  the  last  to  retire,  and  seemed  dis- 
gusted with  the  poltroons  they  commanded.  A  few  accoutre- 
ments, pistols,  and  horses,  were  found  here  and  in  a  neighboring 


298  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF   THE   SOUTH. 

camp,  and  Stuart  and  his  men  dashed  forward  on  his  equestrian 
excursion,  as  gaily  as  ever. 

They  had  proceeded  but  a  few  miles  when  a  strong  body  of 
the  enemy  was  discovered  admirably  posted,  with  skirmishers 
thrown  out  in  front.  Our  advance,  consisting  of  one  squadron, 
went  ahead,  drove  in  the  outposts,  and  rode  in  full  view  of  the 
enemy,  five  squadrons  strong,  and  attempted  to  draw  them  out 
The  Federal  commander,  not  observing  our  whole  force  screen- 
ed in  woods  a  mile  distant,  sallied  forth  to  exterminate  our  ad- 
vance. The  latter,  however,  returned  up  the  hill,  and  over  it. 
and  when  half-way  down  were  joined  by  another  squadron; 
both  advanced  again,  and  met  the  enemy  advancing  up  on  the 
other  side.  Latane  gave  the  word,  and  our  horsemen,  spurring 
their  steeds  into  a  maddening  gallop,  charged  among  the  enemy,  « 
and  were  sabring  and  pistolling  right  and  left  before  they  fully 
recovered  from  their  astonishment.  The  conflict  was  hand  to 
hand,  and  conspicuous  in  our  foremost  ranks  were  an  English- 
man and  a  Prussian,  (captains  of  dragoons,)  who  had  volunteer- 
ed on  Stuart's  staff.  The  fight  lasted  about  ten  minutes,  and 
ended  in  the  flight  of  the  Federals,  who  dispersed  in  all  direc- 
tions'and  took  no  heed  of  their  trumpets  sounding  the  "rally." 

As  our  men  pushed  forward  down  into  the  level  plain  they 
were  again  attacked  by  a  fresh  body  of  horse;  but  a  third 
squadron  coming  to  our  assistance  made  the  combat  more 
equal,  and  finally  routed  them  with  loss.  We  captured  many 
prisoners,  a  lot  of  fine  horses,  sabres,  trumpets,  and  pistols,  to- 
gether with  their  well-provisioned  camps  found  a  half-mile 
further  on,  with  all  things  as  their  owners  had  left  them; 
among  other  articles,  lots  of  superior  saddles  and  harness  were 
immediately  appropriated ;  other  things  were  burned. 

Having  refreshed  his  men,  and  remounted  many,  Stuart  con 
tinued  his -career;  everywhere  he  was  cheered  on  by  the  coun 
try  people,  who,  informed  of  events  by  the  frightened  Yankees, 
lined  the  roadside,  waving  their  hats  and  handkerchiefs  in  high 
glee.  "I  told 'em  you'd  come  along  one  of  these  fine  morn- 
ings !"  said  a  fine  old  gentleman,  standing  at  his  door  with  two 
daughters,  and  shaking  with  laughter.  "Take  care  of  my  son 
Harry,  General,  and  drive  all  the  skunks  into  the  riverl" 
"  Hurry  on,  boys,  hurry  on ;  the  varmint  an't  more  nor  a  mile 


STUART'S  CAVALRY  RAID.  299 

ahead — we're  all  Union  (I)  down  here/you  know  I — one  of  their 
camps  is  just  over  the  hill,  and  has  lots  of  horses.  Darn  'em! 
Go  in,  boys,  give  'em  h — 11 !"  "  Hold  on,  colonel,"  said  a  fine 
young  girl  with  a  gun  in  her  hand,  "  I've  got  four  of  the  ras- 
cals in  the  house ;  they  thought  to  hide  until  you  passed,  but 
seeing  our  boys  coming  I  made  them  deliver  up  their  weapons, 
and  stood  guard  till  you  arrived!"*  Sure  enough  the  Federals 
were  there,  but  were  soon  accommodated  with  horses,  and  being 
placed  in  charge  of  the  rear-guard,  on  went  the  column  again; 
clouds  of  dust  rising  on  every  hand,  and 'artillery  jingling  along 
the  roads.  Negroes  on  fences,  negroes  on  door-steps  and  wood- 
piles, others  at  the  plough  or  spade — all  rushed  forward,  yell- 
ing and  clapping  hands  like  madmen.  "  Pile  in  on  'em,  Massa 
Jeb ;  we  an't  no  Yankees  down  dese  diggins — fotch  it  to  'em, 
white  folks,  and  make  'em  clar  out  ob  ole  Virginny ;  we  want 
none  ob  'em  among  dese  chickens."  Such  were  their  acclama- 
tions as  we  passed  on  in  our  circuit  of  the  country. 

As  the  whole  rear  of  McClellan's  army  was  by  this  time  fully 
alarmed  by  fugitives  flying  in  all  directions,  it  would. have  been 
madness  in  Stuart  to  have  followed  the  usual  roads  in  its  vicin- 
ity ;  accordingly  he  pushed  towards  the  routes  of  their  depots 
on  the  Pamunkey,  near  the  White  House,  and  intercepted  large 
wagon-trains  approaching,  laden  with  stores  of  every  descrip- 
tion,'and  destroyed  them.  The  horses  and  mules  were  intrusted 
to  the  rear-guard,  and  so  proceedings  continued :  wagon-trains 
being  seized  on  all  the  roads  leading  to  depots  and  headquar- 
ters, and  burned ;  their  guards  and  drivers  accommodated  with 
spare  horses,  and  sent  to  our  rear.  On  approaching  villages, 
all  United  States  property  was  burned ;  among  the  prisoners 
-seized,  several  army  surgeons,  captains,  quartermasters,  commis- 
saries, and  other  officers,  were  obliged  to  mount  mules  and  fol- 
low us,  much  to  their  astonishment  and  chagrin. 

Approaching  Tunstall's  station  on  the  York  River  railroad, 
the  command  was  divided,  to  scour  all  the  roads,  with  orders 
to  meet  at  a  designated  rendezvous.  Several  schooners  espied 
at  anchor  on  the  Pamunkey  were  seized  and  burned,  together 
with  their  valuable  cargoes  of  clothing  and  stores,  but  several 

*  The  young  lady  mentioned,  whose  name  I  now  forget,  is  a  distant  relation  of 
the  immortal  Washington. 


300  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE    SOUTH. 

others  slipped  cables  and  escaped.  Some  half-dozen  wagon- 
yards,  with  scores  of  vehicles  of  all  kinds,  were  fired,  and  the 
teamsters  added  to  our  list  of  prisoners.  Plans  were  laid  for 
capturing  the  afternoon  military  train  then  due  at  Tunstall's : 
soon  the  locomotive  was  heard  approaching,  and  time  not  suffic 
ing  to  tear  up  any  portion  of  the  track,  troopers  lined  the  sides 
of  the  road,  and  were  ordered  to  take  deadly  aim  at  the  engi- 
neer. Some  of  our  men  commenced  firing  when  the  engine  was 
fully  a  hundred  yards  distant ;  but  the  driver  turned  on  extra 
steam,  and  rushing  past  the  station,  shoved  off  several  logs 
placed  on  the  rails.  Many  of  the  passengers,  to  escape  the  hail- 
storm of  shot,  jumped  off  the  train  and  were  crippled.  Some 
few  ran  to  the  woods,  but  were  picked  up  by  our  men,  together 
with  many  who  ran  from  the  stationton  our  first  approach.  All 
were  taken,  but  the  train  escaped,  although  many  on  it  were 
killed  or  wounded ;  the  cars  being  for  the  most  part  uncovered} 
or  freight-trucks.  The  gallant  fellow  who  drove  the  engine 
was  also  killed  by  an  accurate  shot ;  his  bravery  and  foresight 
deserved  a  better  fate. 

Continuing  their  raid  in  all  directions,  the  detached  parties 
destroyed  United  States  property  to  the  amount  of  several  mil- 
lion dollars,  always  securing  whatever  arms,  horses,  or  prison- 
ers fell  in  their  way;  until,  wearied  with  labor,  they  made 
for  the  appointed  rendezvous,  which  was  not  far  from  New 
Kent  Court-House,  at  a  small  village  where  several  main  roads 
joined.  The  first  party  that  arrived  found  that  the  place  con- 
tained several  finely  furnished  sutlers'  stores,  and  depots  of 
goods  deposited  thus  far  in  the  rear  of  the  army,  to  be  convey. 
ed  up  to  the  front  as  circumstances  demanded.  They  were,  in 
fact,  central  or  wholesale  establishments,  to  furnish  regimental 
sutlers,  stocked  with«  every  thing  that  could  be  required,  having 
tasteful  bar-rooms  attached,  in  which  were  sold  champagne, 
and  all  sorts  of  expensive  wines  and  liquors.  Our  fatigued  and 
dusty  men  hitched  their  horses  and  entered,  without  ceremony, 
but  were  so  unprepossessing  and  unpresentable,  that  all  present 
rose,  including  several  field-officers  who  had  trotted  to  the  rear 
"to  spend  the  day"  convivially.  "  Brandy,  gentlemen  ?"  in- 
quired the  fat  proprietor  urbanely — "certainly  1"  and,  present- 
ing decanters,  our  men  began  to  imbibe  freely.  "  Might  I  in- 


STUARTS  CAVALRY  RAID.  301 

quire  to  what  cavalry  you  belong,  gentlemen?"  asked  the  pro- 
prietor, acutely  surveying  their  dusty  figures  from  Lead  to  foot. 
"  We  ?"  answered  one,  laying  violent  hands  on  a  box  of  Ha- 
vannas,  and  emptying  the  decanter,  "  oh !  we  are  Maryland  cav- 
alry, just  arrived ;  a  new  regiment  raised  in  Baltimore,  just  re- 
turned on  a  scouting  party  after  the  rebel  Stuart !"  "  Stuart,  eh  ? 
You  don't  mean  to  say  that  he  is  in  our  lines  ;  do  you  ?  Wellj 
let  him  come,  that's  all,  and  although  I'm  not  in  the  army  I'll 
show  him  a  thing  or  two?  just  see  if  I  don't !"  And  as  his  eye 
glanced  over  a  fine  case  of  revolvers  exposed  for  sale,  he  seem- 
ed as  valiant  as  Ajax.  The  rest  of  the  company  were  dressed 
too  finely  to  shake  hands  with  our  dusty  fellows,  so  smoked 
and  talked  apart  in  dignified' reserve.  Hearing  the  approach  of 
a  squadron,  our  troopers  went  to  the  door,  and  the  landlord 
prepared  bottles  and  glasses  for  his  expected  visitors.  "Are 
those  coming  some  of  your  party,  gentlemen  ?"  "  Yes,"  was 
the  reply,  "and  as  'tis  no  use  of  fooling  any  more,  we  are 
Stuart's  cavalry." 

All  present  were  struck  dumb  with  astonishment,  but  were 
soon  disarmed  and  made  prisoners.  »As  there  were  four  or  five 
large  establishments  of  this  kind  in  the  neighborhood,  the 
command  paid  attention  to  all,  providing  themselves  with  shoes, 
clothes,  new  weapons,  and  literally  "  ate  out "  the  establishments, 
until  not  a  box  of  sardines  or  can  of  oysters  or  preserves  remain- 
ed on  the  premises.  Such  a  feast  our  men  had  not  enjoyed  for 
many  months ;  all  took  whatever  articles  were  needed  and  de- 
stroyed the  rest.  Fruits,  preserves,  sardines,  oysters,  bread,  fine 
biscuit,  crackers,  champagne,  brandy,  whiskey,  and  ale,  were 
consumed  with  great  glee,  but  none  of  our  men  forgot  their 
perilous  situation :  all  remained  sober. 

About  twelve  P.M.  on  Friday  night,  we  prepared  for  the 
start  home,  and  as  it  was  out  of  the  question  to  pass  by  the 
same  route,  on  the  right  of  McClellan's  lines,  Stuart  deter- 
mined to  make  the  grand  tour,  and  find  his  way  out  by  the 
left.  The  whole  army  was  aroused,  and  cavalry  patrolled  all 
the  roads,  but  none  knew  the  country  so  well  as  Stuart,  who 
pushed  forward  by  unfrequented 'lanes  and  paths,  and  safely 
arrived  on  the  banks  of  the  Chickahominy.  No  bridges 
being  near,  Stuart  swam  his  horse  acrpss,  and  all  followed  save 
the  artillery.  An  old  farmer  had  witnessed  the  crossing,  and 


302  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

showed  the  way  to  a  broken  bridge  a  little  way  up  the  stream. 
This  was  quickly  repaired  with  logs  and  underbrush,  and 
just  as  the  first  dawn  of  morning  topped  the  trees,  the  whole 
command  was  safely  on  the  south  bank. 

Our  troopers  proceeded  very  cautiously,  for  they  were  still 
in  the  enemy's  lines,  and  at  the  most  difficult  stage  of  the  jour- 
ney. The  main  body  followed  a  by-path  through  the  woods, 
leading  to  the  Williamsburgh  road,  but  ( scouts  were  sent  out 
ahead  and  on  the  flanks.  "  Who  goes  there  ?"  and  a  shot  was 
the  almost  instant  challenge.  Our  scouts  rapidly  fell  back  to 
the  main  body,  as  directed,  and  as  the  Yankee  mounted  out- 
posts pursued,  they  speedily  found  themselves  in  the  midst  01 
us,  and  were  secured.  This  occurred  on  several  occasions,  but, 
by  good  fortune  and  daring,  the  whole  command  reached  the 
Williamsburgh  road,  and,  utterly  exhausted,  halted  on  the  out- 
skirts of  our  lines,  the  enemy  being  within  a  mile,  and  in  full 
force,  in  pursuit.  Excitement  had  strung  both  man  and  beast, 
since  their  start  on  Wednesday  night ;  but  now  that  all  were 
safely  through  the  adventure,  and  passed  through  Longstreet's 
division  (the  right)  on  their  way  to  camp,  on  the  Brooke 
Church  turnpike,  (the  left,)  their  appearance  was*  most  jaded, 
care-worn,  and  dusty,  having  been  more  than  sixty  hours  in 
the  saddle,  almost  without  drawing  rein ! 

The  fruits  of  this  excursion  were  several  hundred  head  of 
horses  and  mules,  more  than  a  hundred  prisoners,  a  perfect 
knowledge  of  McClellan's  position,  force,  and  resources,  and 
the  destruction  of  property  to  the  value  of  several  millions. 
The  enemy  were  signally  defeated  on  several  occasions,  in  com- 
bats with  an  inferior  force.  We  killed  and  wounded  many, 
remounted  all  that  required  it,  furnished  the  command  with 
fine  weapons,  saddles,  harness,  and  clothes,  humiliated  McClel- 
lan,  and  lost  but  otfe  man  —  brave  Captain  Latane,  •  who  com- 
manded in  the  last  combat.  Singular  as  it  may  seem,  our  chief 
officers  in  this  excursion  had  fought  against  the  very  companies 
and  squadrons  commanded  by  them  when  in  the  United  States 
service  ;  and  among  the  first  prisoners  captured  was  the  trum- 
peter of  Colonel  Lee's  old  company  of  dragoons.  Many  of  the 
prisoners  took  the  affair  good-humoredly,  mounted  on  mules  as 
they  were,  but  several  doctors  were  apostrophizing  Jupiter 
and  all  the  gods  about  the  cruelty  of  placing  them  on  saddle- 


THE  RETURN  TO  OUR  LINES.  303 

less  animals  with  sharp  vertebrae,  and  swearing  roundly  against 
riding  sixty  miles  without  rest  or  food !  But  grumbling  availed 
them  nothing  ;  ride  they  must,  and  the  chapfallen,  wretched  ap- 
pearance of  these  sons  of  Galen  was  ludicrous  in  the  extreme, 
and  their  horsemanship  wonderful,  under  the  circumstances. 

The  appearance  of  our  gallant  troopers  was  certainly  very 
unprepossessing.  The  men  were  dusty,  dirty,  and  looked  more 
like  negroes  than  whites.  Their  horses  could  scarcely  move, 
for  in  addition  to  the  long  gallop,  their  riders  had  overweighted 
them  by  loading  their  saddle-bows  with  strings  of  shoes,  bun- 
dles of  blankets,  and  new  weapons  of  various  kinds :  not  un- 
frequently  the  horse  and  entire  outfit  were  Federal  property. 
Several  of  the  men  were  scarred  or  cut,  but  manfully  sat  their 
saddles,  and  marched  along  through  our-  lines  as  gayly  as  pos- 
sible, saying  "they  would  not  have  missed  the  trip  for  any 
thing."  Such  an  adventure  was  worthy  of  remembrance,  and 
those  who  participated  had  some  right  to  feel  proud.  As  for 
McClellan,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  he  felt  deeply  mortified, 
but  he  resorted  to  his  old  practice  of  'telling  half  the  truth ; 
and  in  his  despatches  to  Washington,  spoke  of.it  as  a  trivial 
affair,  and  scarcely  worthy  of  mention.  In  retaliation,  the 
Federal  cavalry  made  frequent  incursions  into  counties  within 
the  limits  of  their  own  lines,  though  never  attempting  to  cross 
ours,  and  spoke  of  such  exploits  as  something  wonderful.  Had 
they  crossed  our  line,  and  committed  half  the  havoc  acknowl- 
edged to  have  been  done  within  their  own,  their  achievements 
might  have  been  worthy  of '  mention,  but  they  knew  too  well 
the  character  of  our  men  to  attempt  any  such  adventure. 

General  Stuart  was  formerly  a  Second  Lieutenant  in  United 
States  dragoons,  but,  upon  the  secession  of  Virginia,  offered  his 
sword  to  his  native  State,  and  raised  a  company  of  cavalry. 
He  was  soon  afterwards  elected  colonel,  and  acted  as  brigadier. 
He  was  always  found  on  .hazardous  duty,  and  won  the  con- 
fidence of  all.  His  forte  was  cavalry ;  of  infantry  he  knew 
little,  and,  perhaps,  cared  less;  nevertheless,  he  frequently 
commanded  regiments  on  foraging  excursions  during  the  win- 
ter months,  at  Manassas,  and  kept  the  cavalry  well  supplied 
from  his  inroads  to  the  vicinity  of  Drainsville,  and  other  places 
near  Washington,  under  the  eye  and  care  of  Federal  command- 
ers, who  laid  plans  to  punish  him  for  his  audacity. 


304:  BATTLE-FIELDS f  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

On  one  occasion  he  started  from  Manassas  with  several  regi- 
ments of  infantry,  a  small  force  of  cavalry,  four  pieces  of  artil- 
lery, (Couts's  battery,)  and  over  a  hundred  wagons.  The  spies 
of  the  enemy  had  informed  them  of  his  departure  during  the 
night;  rockets  were  seen  ascending  at  various  points,  and 
when  morning  broke,  the  enemy  were  discovered  in  great  force 
near  Drainsville.  Stuart's  wagons  rapidly  retreated,  and  the 
fight  was  opened  by  infantry.  The  combat  lasted  some  time ; 
but,  owing  to  incapacity  or  want  of  foresight,  -Stuart  found 
himself  outflanked,  and  subjected  to  ambuscades  at  every 
point.  The  wagons  were  now  far  to  the  rear,  and  our  small 
brigade  began  to  give  ground  before  a  superior  force.  Couts's 
battery  had  contended  for  more  than  an  hour  with  thirty 
pieces  placed  on  a  rise,  with  caissons  and  horses  screened  by 
farm-houses.  Having  lost  nearly  all  his  animals  in  this  un- 
equal conflict,  Gouts  fell  back,  his  men  drawing  off  the  pieces 
by  hand,  many  of  the  cannoniers  pulling  ropes  with  one  hand 
and  carrying  a  shell  in  the  other,  so  as  to  be  able  to  stop  occa- 
sionally and  fire.  Kentuckians,  South-Carolinians,  Georgians? 
and  Virginians  disputed  the  ground  inch  by  inch,  and  inflicted 
much  loss  by  their  accurate  fire.  Yankee  officers  begged  their 
men  to  charge  upon  our  retreating  regiments,  and  often  a'p- 
peared  in  front  to  show  the  way ;  yet  the  Federals  could  not 
be  induced  to  move,  but  allowed  our  whole  force  to  retire  in 
good  order.  One  of  their  flanking  parties,  however,  advanc,- 
ing  down  the  railroad,  was  assailed  with  great  fury,  and  suf- 
fered loss ;  so,  although  Stuart  halted  some  two  miles  distant, 
and  invited  another  attack,  the  enemy  would  not  pursue,  but 
rested  where  they  had  fought.  Next  day  reenforcements  were 
sent  up,  when  we  advanced  again,  and  endeavored  to  draw  on 
an  engagement;  but  the  Federals  remained  close  within  their 
lines,  and  allowed  us  to  forage  without  the- shadow  of  resist- 
ance. 

Stuart  has  been  much  censured  for  his  conduct  in  this  "  sur- 
prise," and"  has  seldom  figured  since  in  command  of  infantry. 
As  a  cavalry  officer  he  stood  second  to  Ashby  only  in  Virginia, 
and,  from  his  thorough  knowledge  of  the  country,  was  of  incal- 
culable service  on  all  occasions.  It  was  at  Williamsburgh  I 
first  saw  him.  Commanding  the  cavalry  rear-guard  on  that  oc- 
casion, he  was  obliged  to  fall  back  before  superior  numbers, 


GENERAL  JOHNSTON".  305 

and  rode  up  to  Johnston's  headquarters  in  the  village  to  report 
just  as  the  enemy  appeared  advancing  on  the  redoubts  from  the 
Yorktown  and  Warwick  Court-house  roads.  He  appeared 
much  fatigued  and  overworked,  and  would  have  served  admir- 
ably for  a  picture  of  Dick  Turpin  when  chased  by  officers  on 
the  road  to  York.  His  horse  was  a  splendid  black,  with  heavy 
reins  and  bit,  cavalry-saddle,  and  holsters;  foam  stood  in  a 
lather  upon  him,  and  he  was  mud-splashed  from  head  to  hoof. 
Stuart  himself  wore  no  insignia  of  command :  a  common  black 
felt  hat,  turned  down  in  front  and  up  behind;  a  heavy  black 
overcoat,  tightly  buttoned;  elegant  riding-boots  covering  the 
thigh ;  a  handsome  sabre,  carelessly  slung  by  his  side,  and  a 
heavy  pair  of  Mexican  spurs,  that  jingled  and  rattled  on  the 
pavements,  were  all  I  could  see  of  this  splendid  horseman  and 
dashing  leader.  Thickset,  full-faced,  close-cut  hair,  and  ruddy 
complexion,  he  looked  more  like  Ainsworth's  "  gentleman  of 
the  road "  than  a  young,  daring  cavalry  chief  of  thirty  sum- 
mers. He  leaned  in  his  saddle  and  communicated  with  General 
Johnston,  and  as  both  smiled,  I  could  hear  that  his  party  had 
been  chased  by  "old  Emory"  of  the  Fifth  U.  S.  Dragoons, 
whose  light  artillery  could  now  be  heard  blazing  away  south  of 
the  town. 

As  Johnston  stands  conversing  with  General  Griffiths  of  the 
Mississippi  Brigade,  we  have  a  full  view  of  that  well-known  of- 
ficer. He  is  uncovered,  and  his  small  compact  head  is  finely 
developed.  His  hair  is  grey,  and  cut  close ;  his  deep-set  grey 
eyes  are  full  of  meaning ;  his  features  calm  as  those  of  a  Jesuit ; 
his  complexion  is  ruddy ;  he  wears  military  whiskers,  and  no 
moustaches ;  his  uniform  is  of  a  grey  color  with  facings  of  light 
orange,  and  .stars  on  the  throat.  In  manner  he  is  decided  and 
unequivocating ;  short,  sharp,  and  dry  in  conversation ;  decision 
of  character  is  plainly  seen  in  the  close-set  lips :  altogether,  he 
is  a  spruce,  neat,  compact  little  man.  Although  there  are  no 
signs  of  extraordinary  intellect,  or  marks  of  a  man  "  truly 
great,"  his  quiet  smile  and  twinkling  eye  betray  a  person  of 
disciplined  tastes  and  habits,  possessed  of  much  craftiness  and 
cunning.  I  saw  little  of  him  around  Manassas,  but  at  York- 
town  lines  he  was  continually  on  the  move,  riding  one  of  the 
finest  chestnut  mares  the  eye  ever  beheld ;  a  small,  active,  wiry, 
20 


306  BATTLE -FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

fine-blooded,  and  swift  animal,  much,  like  the  owner.  His  so- 
licitude was  sleepless,  and  though  visiting  the  principal  redoubts 
and  points  daily,  I  have  known  him  to  gallop  into  our  battery 
near  midnight,  not  five  minutes  after  the  alarm  gun  fired,  and 
though  the  distance  ridden  was  over  a  mile. 

This  distinguished  man  is  a  whole-souled  patriot,  brave  to  a 
fault,  and,  did  he  consider  liis  services  would  aid  our  cause 
more  by  shouldering  a  musket  than  marshalling  large  forces, 
he  is  one  who  would  willingly  enter  the  ranks.  I  have  seen 
him  under  many  various  circumstances,  but  always  observed 
in  him  the  smart,  active,  quick-sighted  officer,  scrupulously  at- 
tired in  unform  when  on  duty,  but  in'  plain  citizen  dress  when 
not.  Soon  as  his  wound,  received  at  "  Seven  Pines,"  permitted, 
he  retired  to  his  farm  for  a  few  weeks,  and  although  I  travelled 
in  the  same  car,  he  was  dressed  so  unprepossessingly,  that  I  did 
not  notice  him  until  he  arrived  home,  when  a  large  crowd  of 
farmers,  children,  and  old  women  gathered  round  him  at  the 
station  to  welcome  back  their  "  old  neighbor,  General  Joe  John- 
ston," in  an  unceremonious  manner  which  bespoke  volumes  of 
mutual  good  feeling  and  fellowship.  At  the  opening  of  the  re- 
bellion he  was  Lieutenant-Colonel  First  U.  S.  Dragoons,  and  act- 
ing Quartermaster-General  at  Washington,  but  immediately  join- 
ed the  fortunes  of  his  native  State,  (Virginia,)  and  has  since 
risen  very  high  in  the  estimation  of  the  South. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

Gossip  in  Camp — Of  Dress,  Discipline,  and  Arms — Preference  for  Breech-loading 
Weapons — The  Parrott,  the  Whitworth,  and  the  Armstrong  Guns — German  Mus- 
kets— Advantage  of  Rifles  over  Muskets  in  Action — Ttoe  Maynard  Rifle — Ber- 
dan's  Sharpshooters — Our  Sanitary  Condition — Of  our  Medical  Staff — Mortality 
amongst  our  Men  and  its  Cause — Insufficient  and  Inferior  Supplies — Of  "  Bag- 
gage "  and  Transportation. 

IN  some  previous  chapters  I  have  endeavored  to  picture  the 
condition  of  our  army  and  the  feeling  of  our  men,  reproducing, 
as  nearly  as  possible,  such  conversations  among  comrades  as 
it  was  but  natural  should  occur.  It  is  true,  I  cannot  pretend 
to  graphic  skill,  or  scenic  effect,  in  the  report  of  those  gossips ; 
but  they  are  faithful  in  substance,  and  they  offer  me  the  readi- 
est means  of  placing  much  on  record  that  would  otherwise  run 
into  tedious  detail.  As  I  must  once  more  resume  the  conversa- 
tional method,  I  can  only  hope  that  faults  of  style  will  be  over- 
looked, and  the  intention  only  regarded. 

"  If  by  accident  any  European  were  to  visit  our  lines,  what  a 
poor  opinion  he  might  form  of  the  true  merit  of  our  soldiers ! 
Accustomed  to  see  fine  bodies  of  men,  splendidly  drilled,  and 
tastefully  uniformed,  he  would  be  inclined  to  look  upon  us  as 
a  parcel  of  ragged,  ill-lfed,  slovenly-looking,  mud-colored  mili 
tia,  unfit  for  service,  and  doomed  to  discomfiture  at  the  first 
volley  from  an  enemy.  Even  the  Federal  army,  though  uni- 
formly attired  in  blue,  and  smart  in  appearance,  would  hardly 
appear  more  effective  in  his  eyes,  when  compared  with  the  bril- 
liancy and  neatness  of  European  regiments.  It  is  true  that  no 
people  who  are  fighting  for  their  independence  can  be  expected 
to  make  the  same  military  display  as  the  old-established  standing 
armies  of  Europe ;  yet  it  is  much  to  be  regretted  that,  through 
the  poverty  of  Government,  we  have  to  depend  for  clothes 
upon  the  industry  and  charity  of  our  friends  at  home.  A 
braver  army  than  ours,  or  one  more  creditable  in  its  physique, 


808  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

never  existed ;  and  were  we  but  well  dressed,  our  European 
friends  would  have  little  cause  to  smile.  'Results,'  however, 
are  all  that  is  necessary;  and  so  that  we  beat  the  enemy,  and 
ultimately  triumph,  we  can  very  well  forego  the  pomp  and 
circumstance  of  war.  In  peaceful  times,  I  have  no  doubt  that 
our  *  regulars '  will  present  a  fine  and  imposing  appearance,  for 
Southerners  have  good  taste  in  attire,  and  means  will  not  be 
lacking  to  put  our  military  establishment  on  a  sound  ancl  mag- 
nificent footing.  What  think  you,  Major?" 

"I  agree  with  you.  It  matters  little  how  we  are  dressed  at 
present ;  there  are  no  ladies  at  our  parades,  or  I  might  be  tempt- 
ed to  make  an  outlay  in  fine  cloth  and  gold  lace ;  but  as  our 
fancy  manoeuvres  and  field-days  are  usually  with  the  enemy,  I 
am  content  to  appear  in  any  dress  that  is  fit  for  wear  and  tear. 
So  that  my  weapons  and  my  horse  are  all  right,  I  care  little  for 
the  rest.  Yet  there  is  one  thing  I  do  regret,  namely,  that  our 
regiments  are  without { bands '  to  cheer  them  on  the  march,  and 
dispel  the  depressing  monotony  of  the  camps.  True,  bands  are 
allowed  by  the  'regulations,'  and  much  money  has  been  ex- 
pended in  procuring  instruments ;  yet  those  of  our  boys  who 
have  musical  talent  refuse  to  enter  the  band,  from  false  pride, 
considering  it  dishonorable  to  exchange  the  musket  for  a  mu- 
sical instrument,  as  if  they  desired  to  shun  the  battle-field. 
They  will  contribute  readily  enough;  we  have  now  not  less 
than  twenty -five  hundred  dollars  in  hand  to  procure  instru- 
ments, but,  except  the  leader,  a  Frenchman,  and  two  German 
volunteers,  we  have  not  a  man  to  play  them  !" 

"  That  is  true,  old  friend,  and  in  those  regiments  which  have 
succeeded  in  getting  up  bands,  the  performance  is  so  wretched 
for  a  few  months  that  their  dismal  noises  are  an  intolerable 
nuisance.  Yet  it  cannot  be  avoided ;  we  lack  cultivated  talent, 
and  many  'who  volunteer  to  do  the  blowing,'  as  the  boys  say, 
have  seldom  seen,  and  certainly  never  before  touched,  a  bugle 
or  cornet.  There  are  the  customary  drums  and  fifes,  and  the 
'regulation'  tunes  for  'reveille'  —  'Roast  Beef,'  'Tattoo,'  and' 
every  necessary  call ;  but  in  walking  through  camps  at  any  of 
those  times,  we  hear  all  kinds  of  drumming;  and  as  for  rival 
fifers ! — they  seem  to  be  in  an  intense  screeching  agony,  when- 
ever called  upon,  and  know  no  tune  except  'Dixie,'  or  the 


WANT  OP  MUSICAL  BANDS.  809 

doleful  and  eternal  '  My  Maryland.'  It  is  absolutely  necessary, 
Captain,  that  something  should  be  done ;  all  our  commands  are 
now  given  by  word  of  mouth,  even  in  drilling.  Such  a  sys- 
tem is  exhausting  to  commanders,  and  it  causes  indecision  and 
confusion  in  the  ranks,  from  the  failure  of  the  voice ;  while  in 
battle  it  is  impossible  to  be  heard  at  all.  Fancy  every  officer 
bawling  out  the  word  of  command,  and  oftentimes  the  wrong 
one,  in  some  abominable  falsetto  amid  the  din  of  arms  and  the 
tramp  of  hurrying  feet.  In  our  cavalry  and  artillery  corps  the 
trumpet  is  used,  and  with  splendid  effect.  Why  cannot  our 
infantry  be  commanded  with  the  bugle  ? 

"  Under  innumerable  circumstances  music  is  necessary  to  the 
soldier,  and  has  a  beneficial  effect.  How  inspiriting,  it  is  to 
hear  a  good  band  strike  up  a  cheerful  tune  on  a  long  march, 
how  stragglers  jump  to  their  places,  how  quickly  the  file  is 
dressed,  and  how  easy  the  step  becomes,  no  matter  how  weary 
or  how  long  the  march  may  be !  It  seems  to  me  we  look  like 
a  regiment  of  geese  marching  through  town,  without  the  strains 
of  music  to  mark  the  time.  If  Jenkins  were  here  he  would 
smile  and  say :  '  These  things  are  different  in  Europe.'  They 
are  so,  and  they  will  be  different  here  in  time.  The  old  armies 
have  their  light  and  heavy  infantry  and  cavalry,  their  rifles, 
and  every  branch  of  the  service  well  represented,  each  having 
its  particular  part  to  play  in  skirmish  or  battle ;  but  owing  to 
our  hurry  in  forming  the  Southern  army,  and  the  continual 
succession  of  stirring  events,  we  have  but  three  classes — artil- 
lery, infantry,  and  cavalry — without  further  distinctions;  and 
one  regiment  is  considered  as  '  heavy '  as  another  if  it  musters 
only  five  hundred  men.  The  enemy  have  splendid  bands,  for 
there  are  German,  Dutch,  Italians,  and  French  in  their  ranks 
by  tens  of  thousands.  Not  so  with  us.  The  ruling  foreign 
element  with  us  is  Irish,  and,  although  Irishmen  are  passion- 
ately fond  of  music,  they  still  cling  to  the  musket,  and  make 
music  of  their  own  in  the  hour  of  battle.  I  wish  we  had  a 
hundred  thousand  of  them ;  they  make  the  best  soldiers  in  the 
world." 

"  "We  have  some  good  bands  in  tlje  service,  Major,  though  I 
confess  but  few  of  them.  The  Louisiana  bands  are  occasionally 
good,  and  that  of  the  First  Virginia  Foot  is  one  among  a  thou- 


i 

• 

310  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

sand.  But,  as  you  observe,  it  is  to  be  regretted  our  boys  will 
not  volunteer  to  play,  instead  of  lavishly  throwing  their  money 
away  on  those  who  have  no  talent  for  it.  The  want  of  uniform- 
ity in  our  '  calls '  is  notorious ;  what  one  regiment  beats  for 
'tattoo'  its  next  neighbor  will  furiously  drum  for  'reveille.' 
All  the  men  know  is  that  drums  are  beating  fbr  'something,' 
and  they  turn  out  with  alacrity  to  ascertain  what  that  something 
is.  But  this  is  not  in  form,  and  though  commanders  look  upon 
the  matter  lightly,  it  may  be  the  occasion  of  much  mischief. 
Take  a  case  in  point :  At  the  battle  of  '  Oak  Hill,'  in  Missouri, 
the  camps  and  commands  of  Price  and  McCulloch  were  some 
distance  apart,  and  the  Missourians,  it  is  said,  were  so  much  ac- 
customed to  beating  drums  at  all  times,  that  when  they  were 
suddenly  attacked  by  Lyon,  McCulloch  took  no  notice  of  the 
call,  until  Sigel  opened  fire  upon  his  pickets,  when  he  ascer- 
tained that  for  once  the  Missouri  drummers  meant  something  by 
their  thumpings.  I  do  not  say  that  such  a  thing  would  happen 
with  us,  for  as  volunteers  we  are  the  best  drilled  in  '  essentials ' 
of  any  troops  in  the  world,  and  are  ever  on  the  alert,  more  fre- 
quently moving  in  search  of  the  enemy  than  being  sought. 
But  although  uniforms,  fine  bands,  pipeclay,  and  all  the  rest 
are  desirable  things  enough,  we  must,  for  the  present,  be  con- 
tent to  do  without  them.  To  speak  of  other  things  more  essen- 
tial to  our  success  and  existence  as  a  nation,  what  think  you  of 
our  weapons?  Are  they  all  you  could  desire?  What  say  you, 
Eobins,  of  the  artillery?" 

"You  have  called  an  incompetent  authority  for  judgment 
upon  such  an  important  point,  for  as  I  am  not  an  educated  offi- 
cer, I  know  but  little  of  the  science  of  gunnery,  and  less  of 
casting  guns.  As  a  volunteer  I  am  not  a  bad  shot,  but  that  is 
another  thing.  I  know  this,  however,  that  if  the  various  battle- 
fields had  not  supplied  us  with  new  weapons,  we  should  have 
been  badly  off  at  the  present  time.  Our  supply  of  good  guns, 
when  the  war  opened,  was  very  inadequate ;  and  although  we 
have  upon  our  side  the  best  engineers  and  artillerists  of  the  old 
service,  we  have  never  yet  succeeded  in  making  pieces  equal 
to  those  brought  into  the  field  by  the  enemy.  In  fact,  it  is 
dangerous  to  use  guns  of  our  own  manufacture,  for,  to  my 
knowledge,  many  have  exploded  upon  the  firgt  trial  in  the 


THE  WHITWORTH  GUN.  311 

• 

field,  and  others  have  been  so  inaccurate  they  were  worse  than 
useless.  "We  succeeded  in  procuring  some  good  ones  from  Eng- 
land, by  vessels  which  ran  the  blockade ;  and  the  fact  that  our 
Government  has  not  purchased  European  guns  of  any  other 
manufacture,  speaks  well  for  British  superiority  in  this  respect. 

"We  have  captured  hundreds  of  excellent  guns  from  the 
enemy,  of  all  which  the  '  Parrott '  is  my  favorite,  being  much 
lighter,  more  durable,  stronger  at  the  breech,  of  longer  range, 
and  safer  to  handle.  The  '  Parrott '  gun,  you  know,  was  invent- 
ed by  a  Georgian,  and  patented  before  the  war  began ;  the 
enemy  have  extensively  patronized  the  weapon.  But  of  all 
guns,  I  most  admire  Whitworth's  English  breech-loading  pieces. 
We  had  several  of  them  during  our  blockade  of  the  Lower 
Potomac  in  the  winter  months  of  1861  and  1862,  at  Cockpit 
Point,  and  other  places,  and  their  accuracy  was  amazing,  while 
the  unnecessary,  unsightly,  dangerous,  and  detestable  ramrod 
business-  was  entirely  discarded,  and  the  rapidity  of  fire  greatly 
increased.  It  requires  no  great  amount  of  scientific  knowledge 
to  see  that  the  rammer  and  ramrod  are  totally  behind  the  age, 
and^  should  be  discouraged  and  disused.  All  that  is  required 
of  a  good  gun  can  be  realized  by  breech-loading,  and,  from  ex- 
perience, I  can  do  more  with  such  a  weapon  than  any  other. 
It  occupies  less  room  in  working,  and  saves  the  men  from  un- 
necessary exposure  and  loss.  •  In  England,  f  know,  the  inven- 
tion of  Armstrong  is  patronized ;  they  may  have  potent  reasons 
for  the  preference,  but  our  men  prefer  Whitworth's  weapon."* 

"I  agree  with  you  entirely,  Eobins,"  said  the  Major,  "in  re- 
gard to  the  ramrod ;  I  think  it  should  be  abolished.  Half  the 
men  you  see  walking  about  town  with  arms  in  slings  have  been 
hit  while  loading,  for  the  enemy  fire  high,  and  had  we  breech- 
loading  muskets  in  our  battles,  few  would  have  been  struck  at 
all.  There  are  other  important  reasons  besides  this  for  object- 
ing to  the  ramrod.  In  a  rifle,  accuracy  entirely  depends  upon 
the  cartridge  properly  'chambering,'  as  with  artillery.  It  is 
difficult  to  load  a  rifle  perfectly  tight  at  any  time,  and  especially 
in  the  heat  of  action,  for  the  best  of  rifles  '  lead '  so,  that  it  is  a 
matter  of  impossibility  to  ram  home  the  charge ;  but  if  we  had 

^  This  was  written  long  before  Whitworth  was  patronized  by  the  English  Gov- 
ernment. 


312  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

i 

breech-loaders,  the  weapon  might  '  lead'  at  the  bore,  but  a  fresh 
cartridge  introduced  at  the  breech  would  clean  it.  Try  both 
methods,  and  you  will  perceive  that  rapidity  and  accuracy  are 
gained  by  using  the  breech  to  load,  for  if  you  lose  your  ramrod 
in  the*  confusion  or  excitement,  how  much  is  your  weapon 
worth  ?  The  '  thumb '  should  be  the  only  ramrod  —  you  do 
not  lose  that  often,  and  whether  the  weapon  be  'dirty'  or  'lead- 
ed,' your  charge  is  sufficiently  '  home '  for  every  purpose ;  be- 
sides, much  closer  fitting  cartridges  can  be  used,  without  the 
process  of  greasing  or  ramming,  for  the  thumb  does  the  last, 
and  a  fresh  bullet  the  former.  During  one  of  our  battles,  I  saw 
a  youth  fix  his  ramrod  to  a  tree,  and  endeavor  to  push  the  cart- 
ridge '  home '  in  that  way,  for  the  musket  was  so  '  dirty '  from 
use,  that  it  was  impossible  to  ram  the  load.  Here  was  a  situa- 
tion for  the  boy  to  be  in — ramrod  bent,  and  the  musket  use- 
less!" 

"  Since  the  enemy  have  supplied  us  with  arms,"  said  another, 
"  we  have  had  a  good  variety  of  weapons  among  us — the  En- 
glishEnfield  rifle,  by  various  makers ;  the  old  Harper's  Ferry 
musket ;  the  Harper's  Ferry  Minie  musket ;  the  new  and  old 
Springfield  musket,  rifled  and  smooth  bore;  and  last  of  all, 
that  heavy,  unhandy,  clumsily-made  thing  called  the  German 
or  Belgian  rifle,  which  carries  a  ball  equal  to  that  of  a  young 
six-pounder.  The  Belgians  or  Germans,  who  use  this  weapon, 
must  be  hard,  large-fisted  fellows,  used  to  playing  with  a  pair 
of  fifty-sixes ;  for  it  is  certainly  the  most  ungainly  rifle  mortal 
ever  used ;  being  furnished  with  a  heavy  oak  stock,  and  trap- 
pings of  iron  and  brass,  sufficient  to  decorate  a  howitzer. 
Those  I  have  seen  apparently  come  from  some  part  of  Austria, 
judging  by  the  name-plate.  The  Mississippi  rifle  is  also  too 
heavy,  and  carries  a  large  ball ;  though  good  for  its  time,  it  is 
now  superseded  by  lighter  and  more  accurate  weapons." 

"  Take  a  seat,  Adjutant,"  said  Eobins,  as  Lieutenant  Nixon 
entered  the  tent.  "  We  have  been  speaking  of  the  different 
kinds  of  weapons,  and  by  general  consent  it  seems  breech- 
loaders are  preferred;  what  think  you?" 

"  I  am  a  better  judge  of  pens  than  rifles,  perhaps,  but  many 
old  wiseheads  still  seem  to  prefer  the  smooth-bore  musket — 


BREECH-LOADERS.  '         313 

brown  Bess,  as  it  is  called — and  consider  it  more  destructive 
than  any." 

"Yes,"  said  the  Major,  "their  reasons  are  peculiar;  I  have 
frequently  heard  them.  They  tell  you  that  at  short  range. ,  with 
buckshot,  you  can  kill  more  than  with  the  rifle.  But  how  often 
do  we  get  within  that  short  range  ?  If  we  mutually  advanced 
until  within  a  hundred  yards,  and  then  blazed  away  until  one 
or  the  other  were  exterminated,  I  should  decide  for  a  smooth- 
bore musket,  and  a  sufficiency  of  buckshot.  But  suppose  the 
enemy  occupied  a  skirt  of  woods,  and  not  coming  out,  we  were 
ordered,  as  usual,  to  advance  over  a  thousand  yards  of  open 
field,  and  force  them  out — must  your  men  be  exposed  to  their 
fire,  for  that  distance,  until  you  arrived  within  a  hundred  yards, 
the  maximum  effective  distance  of  the  ordinary  musket  ?  The 
foe  would  pour  several  volleys  before  you  could  return  them, 
if  you  ran  ever  so  fast.  "What  condition  would  your  line  be  in 
for  the  onset,  after  being  thinned  by  their  shot,  when  you 
halted  to  re-form,  fire,  or  charge  ?  Surely  the  case  is  a  plain 
one.  You  would  have  lost  many  men,  the  remainder  would  be 
sorely  fatigued,  and  their  nerves  shaken,  so  that  when  they  did 
fire,  half  the  volley  would  be  thrown  away ;  and  there  you 
stand  before  an  untouched  regiment  fit  to  annihilate  you,  if 
they  have  the  pluck  to  move  forward." 

"  '  Their  rifle  fire  at  a  thousand  or  five  hundred  yards  would 
not  be  effective,'  you  say  ?  True,  with  such  shots  as  the  New- 
Englanders ;  but  if  they  were  Western  men  opposing  you,  your 
regiment  would  be  sadly  deceived,  for  they  shoot  as  well  as  our 
best.  But  suppose  they  failed  to  hit  a  single  man  for  a  few  hun- 
•  dred  yards,  would  young  troops  unhesitatingly  advance  under 
such  a  threatening  fire  ?  Scores  would  drop  from  trepidation ; 
for  they  are  usually  more  frightened  than  hurt.  Give  these 
same  boys  good  breech-loading  rifles,  without  fears  of  the  all- 
important  ramrod  before  their  mind,  and  they  can  advance, 
firing  volley  for  volley,  and  loading  as  they  walk  or  run — a 
feat  impossible,  if  the  ramrod  is  to  be  drawn  and  returned  in  a 
hurry.  With  a  good  breech-loading  rifle  that  cleans  itself,  as  I 
have  explained,  if  troubled  with  dirt  or  lead,  a  well-made  tape 
cap,  and  sword-bayonet,  our  boys  would  prove  invincible." 

"Well,"  said  the  Adjutant,  "European  nations  who  fight 
more  frequently  than  we,  on  a  grander  and  more  scientific 


314  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE  SOUTH. 

• 

scale,  still  retain  the  ramrod  and  percussion-cap ;  it  must  be 
conceded  that  as  the  subject  vitally  interests  them,  there  must 
be  powerful  reasons  for  adhering  to  that  system,  though  per- 
sonally I  agree  with  what  you  say,  and  know  that  you  do  not 
insist  upon  the  tape  cap,  but  a  nipple  suitable  to  both.  As  for 
the  sword-bayonet,  we  have  never  yet  used  it  except  in  a  few 
unimportant  combats.  It  is  far  preferable,  however,  to  the  old 
bayonet,  and  would  prove  a  valuable  side-arm  in  close  en- 
counters, where  the  rifle  or  musket  is  useless.  In  every  way, 
it  is  a  valuable  improvement,  and  put  to  a  variety  of  useful 
purposes  by  the  men,  when  the  old  bayonet  would  not  be  of 
more  utility  than  a  stick." 

"  The  Maynard  rifle,"  said  a  cavalry  man,  "  is  the  favorite 
with  us,  and  proves  a  destructive  weapon  when  one  becomes 
accustomed  to  handling  it,  mounted,  or  in  a  skirmish.  It  is 
light,  simple  in  structure,  and  can  be  used  with  both  caps ;  the 
only  objection  is,  that  you  have  to  be  careful  in  preserving  the 
empty  brass  tubes,  or  you  will  not  be  able  to  make  new  cart- 
ridges. I  wear  a  belt  round  me,  which  holds  fifty,  each  in  its 
hole,  handy  for  use,  but  I  object  to  the  brass  tubes,  for,  if  lost, 
it  is  difficult  to  replace  them  in  active  service." 

"  I  consider  that  the  '  Majmard  '  was  never  intended  for  the 
army — for  that,  among  other  reasons,  it  is  admirably  fitted  for 
hunting,  and  was,  perhaps,  invented  for  that  purpose ;  though 
light  and  of  easy  carriage,  too  much  care  is  requisite  in  pre- 
paring the  cartridge  for  ordinary  vidette  service.  Did  you  ever 
see  any  of  those  globe  or  telescopic-sighted  rifles,  exclusively 
used  by  Berdan's  battalions  of  sharpshooters  in  the  Federal 
army  ?  They  are  a  very  accurate  weapon,  but  expensive,  I  am 
told ;  yet  the  Federals  have  not  done  much  mischief  with  them. 
The  men  are  trained  to  climb  trees,  lie  on  their  back,  crawl 
rapidly  through  the  grass,  have  grass-green  pantaloons  to  pre- 
vent detection,  etc. ;  but  with  all  the  usual  systematic  boasting 
regarding  them,  our  Texans  -and  others  are  more  than  a  match 
for  them.  We  have  picked  off  a  greater  number  of  them  than 
we  have  ourselves  lost  by  their  wonderful  shooting ;  but  as  our 
men  do  not  waste  much  time  in  skirmishing,  but  hasten  to 
'  close  quarters,'  I  have  not  heard  much  of  them  for  some  time, 
although  a  few  months  since  nothing  was  talked  of,  North,  but 


DEFICIENCY  OF  THE   COMMISSARIAT.  815 

the  extraordinary  achievements  of  '  Berdan's  Sharpshooters.' 
To  believe  their  reports,  nearly  every  general  in  our  army  has 
fallen  under  their  '  unerring  aim.'  The  best  sharpshooters  with 
us  are  to  be  found  among  the  Missourians,  Texans,  Arkansans, 
Mississippians,  and  Alabamians — men  accustomed  to  woods  and 
swamps  and  to  Indian  warfare." 

"  Speaking  of  losses,"  said  one,  "  we  have  suffered  fearfully 
from  disease,  but  not  so  much  in  proportion  as  the  Federal 
army,  judging  from  their  frequent  statements.  Our  men  seem 
to  stand  campaigning  much  better  than  theirs.  It  was  said  by 
the  Northern  journals  that  winter  would  cause  more  loss  to  us 
than  a  dozen  battles,  for  it  was  thought  we  could  not  stand 
cold,  hail,  frost,  sleet,  and  freezing  weather ;  but  I  think  the 
health  of  our  troops  was  much  better  during  that  period  than  in 
summer.  Men  with  strong  wills  can  do  or  suffer  any  thing. 
We  erected  comfortable  cabins  in  two  days,  and  having  timber 
all  around  us,  kept  up  roaring  fires  of  logs.  During  the  sum- 
mer and  fall,  however,  our  hospital-lists  were  heavy  with  chills, 
fevers,  rheumatism,  and  the  like,  but  now  we  are  thoroughly 
acclimated,  and  the  hills,  snows,  cold  winds,  and  mud  of  Vir- 
ginia are  as  bearable  and  pleasant  to  the  boys  as  their  own 
sunny  South,  near  the  waters  of  the  Gulf.  Here  is  Dr.  Wilson,' 
smoking  at  his  ease.  What  have  you  to  say  regarding  this 
matter,  Doctor?  No  long,  barbarous,  four-footed  professional 
terms,  if  you  please  I" 

The  fine  old  doctor  appealed  to  remarked,  that :  "In  plain 
English,  the  commissary  department  has  not  done  its  duty. 
When  our  youth  were  called  to  the  field,  they  were  unaccus- 
tomed to  hardships  or  privations  —  being  for  the  most  part 
well-educated,  comfortably  circumstanced,  and  never  subjected 
to  any  labor  at  home  harder  than  a  week's  hunting.  They 
were  lavish  in  their  expenditure,  had  superabundance  of  cloth- 
ing, and  servants  to  attend  them.  All  this  was  reversed  in 
camp.  Money,  for  a  time,  was  plentiful,  but  supplies  could 
not  be  obtained  round  the  country,  for  our  troops  swarmed 
like  locusts  over  every  thing  eatable ;  nor  ^ould  their  wants  be 
supplied  from  home,  for  all  transportation  was  so  much  occu- 
pied with  troops  and  munitions,  that  after  the  first  month's 
service,  sugar,  coffee,  molasses,  and  rice — things  we  thought  im- 
possible to  do  without  —  were  seldom  given  in  rations,  although 


316  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

abundant  enough  far  South.  Our  boys,  again,  were  careless ; 
eating  any  thing  or  every  thing  that  came  in  their  way ; 
and  as  the  digesting  organs  are  not  made  exactly  of  steel,  or 
copper,  such  abuses  brought  on  very  natural  consequences. 
Again,  their  clothing,  though  light  and  sufficient  for  Southern 
use,  was  not  durable  enough  to  withstand  the  change  of  cli- 
mate, and  the  variable  weather  of  a  hilly  country,  in  compara- 
tively Northern  latitudes ;  besides  which,  they  were  reprehen- 
sively  careless,  moving  about  in  all  weathers,  and*  unceremo- 
niously squatting  down  in  dry  or  damp  places.  Much  of  all 
this  was  occasioned  by  the  continual  movements  of  our  gene- 
rals, and  as  the  men  seldom  troubled  that  abortion  called  a 
1  knapsack,'  but  simply  marched  with  arms,  accoutrements,  and 
rations,  every  medical  man  in  the  army  foresaw  that  hundreds 
would  be  sacrificed. 

"Young  men  of  refined  habits,  inhabitants  of  cities,  have 
made  the  best  of  soldiers ;  while,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  those 
bred  in  the  country,  and  accustomed  to  woods  and  fields,  have 
frequented  the  hospitals  far  more  than  any  others.  This  can 
only  be  accounted  for.by  the  thoughtfulness,  neatness,  and  scru- 
pulous cleanliness  of  the  one,  compared  with  the  carelessness 
and  thoughtlessness  of  the  other.  But  the  chief  cause  of  all  our 
sickness  has  arisen  from  the  lack  of  good,  well-cooked  food,  reg- 
ularly changed  and  diversified.  What  kind  of  bread  can  you 
expect  boys  to  make,  'who  have  never  seen  the  process,  and  are 
not  furnished  with  proper  ingredients  or  utensils  for  rendering 
it  wholesome  ?  For  several  months  it  was  the  common  prac- 
tice in  the  army  to  make  up  the  flour  into  'slapjacks'  or  'frit- 
ters,' which  were  nothing  more  than  a  thin  mixture  of  flour 
and  water  fried  in  a  sea  of  bacon-grease !  I  know  regiments 
which  have  been  in  the  service  sixteen  months,  and  three 
fourths  of  the  time  have  had  naught  for  rations  but  flour  and 
very  poor  fat  bacon.  I  do  not  complain  of  Government,  for  I 
know  the  heart  of  the  President  bleeds,  and  he  would  will- 
ingly enter  the  ranks,  rather  than  fill  the  position  he  does, 
while  thousands  of  office-seekers  and  petty  malcontents  are 
growling  around  and  vilifying  him,  as  if  he  were  something 
worse  than  a  common  thief;  but  I  do  say,  that  our  poverty 


MEDICAL  STAFF.  817 

and  carelessness  in  the  commissary  and  quartermaster's  de- 
partments, have  much  to  do  with. these  disasters.* 

"  When  we  were  appointed  to  our  several  posts,  what  did 
these  much-abused  doctors  find  ?  Hundreds  of  sick,  lying  on 
the  Tsare  ground ;  no  hospitals,  but  simple  tents  to  withstand 
the  weather ;  and  oftentimes  not  a  grain  of  medicine  of  any 
kind  on  hand,  nearer  than  Eichmond !  And  how  stood  mat- 
ters in  the  capital  ?  •  All  in  confusion,  and  short  of  supplies. 
In  the  hurry  of  the  first  months,  hundreds  of  so-called  '  doc- 
tors '  thronged  the  city  in  quest  of  preferment,  and  to  my  own 
knowledge — either  from  incapacity  or  carelessness  —  the  heads 
of  the  Medical  Department  appointed  scores  of  men  who  could 
scarcely  write  their  own  names,  or  tell  the  difference  betwee"n 
salts  and  strychnine  —  impostors  who  brought  disgrace  upon 
an  honorable  profession,  and  were  unfitted  to  administer  poison 
to  a  dog  H 

"Yes,  the  doctor  is  right,"  said  another;  "things  are  grad- 
ually improving,  but  the  price  of  our  experience  has  been 
awful ;  though  nothing  like  the  mortality  among  the  enemy  ( 
from  similar  causes  —  if  that  is  any  consolation.  McClellan 
acknowledges  to  have  lost  nearly  fifty  thousand  men  during 
liis  stay  on  the  peninsula,  chiefly  from  sickness  1  Johnston  al- 
ways managed  to  keep  him  in  some  kind  of  swamp  or  mud- 
hole,  and  when  a  certain  person  complained  of  his  inactivity 
before  'Seven  Pines,' he  answered:  'I  am  fighting,  sir,  every 
day !  Is  it  nothing  that  I  compel  the  enemy  to  inhabit  the 
swamps,  like  frogs,  and  lessen  their  strength  every  hour,  with- 
out firing  a  shot  ? '  That  was  all  very  well,  but  I  am  con- 

*  There  are  many  honorable  exceptions  to  the  carelessness  and  incapacity  of 
which  the  doctor  complains,  and  all  must  join  in  eulogizing  the  Herculean  labors 
of  Assistant  Quartermaster-General  William  L.  Cabell.  This  officer,  by  unceasing 
labor,  night  and  day,  has  brought  up  his  department  to  a  high  state  of  efficiency. 
His  despatch  of  business  is  marvellous  — •  he  seems  to  understand,  intuitively,  the 
wants,  shortcomings,  and  capacity  of  every  one  with  whom  he  has  business.  He 
found  his  department  in  a  chaotic  state ;  but  by  constant  and  untiring  labor,  he 
has  done  much  to  place  our  army  on  a  comfortable  footing,  while,  by  prudence 
and  forethought,  he  has  prevented  unnecessary  expenditure,  and  greatly  facilitated 
the  designs  and  movements  of  our  generals.  He  is  a  Virginian,  about  thirty-five 
years  of  age ;  entered  the  old  service  as  Brevet  Second  Lieutenant  of  Infantry, 
July  first,  1850  ;  was  Captain  Seventh  Infantry,  March  third,  1855  ;  and  appointed 
Captain  Assistant  Quartermaster,  March  eighth,  1858.  This  gentleman's  labors  are 
beyond  all  praise. 


318  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

vinced  if  Lee  had  not  taken- the  helm  when  he  did,  we  might 
have  been  '  falling  back '  towards  the  Gulf. 

"  I  see  there  is  some  difference  of  opinion  on  this  point,  and 
therefore  keep  to  the  doctor's  chain  of  thought.  There  is  no 
doubt  that  good  bread  and  pure  water  are  the  two  essentials 
of  a  soldier's  welfare.  He  may  exist  for  a  long  time,  and  do 
excellent  work  without  any  thing  more,  but  these  he  must  have. 
Beauregard  managed  things  very  indifferently  at  Corinth,  in 
those  respects ;  there  was  a  superabundant  supply  of  excellent 
water  a  few  score  feet  below  the  surface,  but  yet  few  wells  were 
dug ;  men  scooped  up  sufficient  water  from  the  surface,  or  from  a 
few  indifferent  springs,  but  the  quality  was  wretched,  as  all 
water  usually  is  in  the  South.  Much  sickness  was  the  conse- 
quence. Halleck,  on  the  other  hand,  had  not  been  in  Corinth 
more  than  three  days  before  he  bored  for*  water,  and  had  many 
fine  artesian  and  other  wells  in  operation,  which  would  have 
more  than  sufficed  for  three  times  the  number  of  men  in  both 
armies.  Virginia  is  the  only  place  where  fine  water  is  abund- 
ant in  the  South,  yet  at  Yorktown  and  other  places  the  quality 
and  supply  were  inferior.  The  same  may  be  said  of  Manassas. 
Although  Bull  Eun  ran  there,  the  men  had  an  aversion  to  using 
that  stream,  except  for  washing  purposes.  How  strange  our 
generals  never  thought  of  digging  wells  I" 

"  The  bread  question,"  said  the  doctor,  "  is  an  all-important 
one ;  old  troops  become  expert  bakers  in  time,  but  young  ones 
only  spoil  the  flour,  and  ruin  their  digestion.  In  truth,  flour 
should  not  be  distributed  at  all ;  '  cracker  bread '  is  what  is  re- 
quired, and  it  takes  up  no  greater  amount  of  transportation 
than  flour.  By  giving  the  men  good  hard  bread,  it  relieves 
them  of  many  duties ;  for  oftentimes  flour  is  served  out  when 
there  are  no  utensils  in  which  to  make  it.  I  have  frequently 
seen  men  receive  their  ration  of  flour  after  a  hard  day's  march, 
when  the  baggage-wagons  with  the  pots  and  pans  were  for  ahead. 
I  have  often  pitied  our  boys  when,  under  these  circumstances, 
the  poor  fellows  have  had  to  bake  their  flour  in  the  ashes,  or  toast 
the  dough  on  a  stick  —  any  thing,  in  fact,  to  satisfy  hunger ! 
The  British  troops  in  the  Crimea  were  sadly  perplexed  abouf 
cooking,  and  hundreds  died  from  the  improper  preparation  oJ 
food.  Soyer  endeavored  to  teach  them  better,  but  they  never 


SUPPLY  OF  BREAD.  319 

succeeded  so  well  as  their  French  neighbors.  We  excel  both 
in  that  respect,  and  although  not  '  a  nation  of  cooks,  have  done 
•wonderfully  well. 

"Our  generals  did  endeavor  to  erect  large  bakeries  to  supply 
the  army,  but  they  were  too  small,  at  Manassas  and  elsewhere. 
Those  that  could  bake  would  not — '  they  enlisted  to  shoulder  a 
musket,'  they  said,  and  could  n9t  be  prevailed  upon  to  try  their 
hands  at  bread-making,  though  hundreds  were  professional 
bakers,  and  excellent  workmen.  The  scarcity  of  salt,  soda,  and 
other  articles  has  sorely  tried  our  men  in  preparing  bread ;  and 
even  if  they  succeeded  in  purchasing  these  and  other  necessa- 
ries, there  was  no  transportation  allowed  for  such  articles.  One 
wagon  was  the  maximum  allowed  to  each  company ;  and  if  the 
roads  proved  heavy,  the  order  came,  'lighten  the  wagons,'  and 
every  article  but  tents,  and  such  .like  was  pitched  into  the 
roads;  pots  and  pans  were  among  the  first  to  be  sacrificed.' 
Generals  and  others,  however,  always  found  room  for  their 
traps,  and  men  did  not  fail  to  notice  and  grumble  at  it.  For 
why  should  a  colonel  be  allowed  to  carry  his  stove,  desk,  bed- 
stead, and  trunk,  when  room  can  scarcely  be  found  or  allowed 
for  a  private's  coffee-pot  or  frying-pan  ?  The  rank  and  file  are 
socially  superior,  in  a  majority  of  cases,  to  those  who  command 
them ;  and  with  all  deference  to  the  present  company,  I  think 
our  officers  have  not  shown  sufficient  interest  or  solicitude  for 
the  comfort  and  well-being  of  their  men." 

"In  many  instances,  that  is  true,"  said  one,  "but  as  to  my- 
self, there  has  been  so  much  grumbling  and  growling  about  the 
subject  of  'baggage'  with  quartermasters  and  others,  that  I 
have  thrown  all  mine  away.  I  have  my  sword,  a  blanket, 
haversack,  canteen,  and  a  change  of  under-clothing  thrust  in  a 
light  knapsack,  and  let  every  thing  else  go ;  for  our  wagons  are 
always  far  off — you  never  can  find  what  you  put  in  them — and 
as  we  are  continually  moving  about  and  fighting,  I  find  my  load 
sufficiently  heavy  without  adding  to  it.  Hundreds  of  officers 
do  the  same,  I  find ;  and,  except  the  brigade  is  stationary,  never 
think  of  increasing  our  bulk  of  baggage.  When  ordered  to 
march,  I  am  at  the  head  of  my  company,  heavily  laden  as  any ; 
the  boy  makes  a  fire  when  the  '  halt '  is  sounded,  and  throwing 
myself  down  on  my  blanket,  I  share  rations  with  some  '  mess ' 


320  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

or  other,  and  am  ready  to  move  or  fight  at  a  moment's  warn- 
ing. As  for  thinking  of  toilet  and  appearance,  a  full  supply 
of  pots  and  pans  for  cooking,  etc.,  in  times  like  these',  it  is  all 
nonsense.  Our  wagons  are  scarcely  sufficient  to  carry  tents, 
ammunition,  and  flour.  "We  are  lightly  armed,  lightly  fed, 
march  rapidly,  fight  frequently,  and  so  that  we  beat  the  en- 
emy, and  get  barely  enough  to  sustain  life,  we  ought  to  be  con- 
tented. Such  an  army  as  ours  can  never  be  whipped — generals 
and  privates  are  all  lean  animals,  little  else  but  bone  and  muscle, 
reduced  to  a  proper  fighting  weight,  and  all  the  better  for  not 
being  encumbered  with  the  baggage  of  a  Xerxes!" 


CHAPTEE  XXXIII. 

June  twenty-sixth — Commencement  of  the  Week's  Campaign  before  Richmond — 
Battles  of  " Mechanicsville,"  "Beaver  Dam  Creek,"  and  "  Ellison's  Mills  "— 
Terrific  Battle  Scene — Preparations  for  a  further  Advance. 

THE  reader  may  picture  to  himself  a  party  of  officers  belong- 
ing to  the  "ragged  rebels"  seated  together  at  my  window,  com- 
paring notes,  and  speculating  on  the  probabilities  of  speedy  hos- 
tilities. "  McClellan  seems  to  think  he  has  not  sufficient  troops, 
and  asks  for  more.  He  makes  the  startling  admission  that  he 
has  lost  not  less  than  fifty  thousand  men  since  his  arrival  on  the 
peninsula  in  March !  I  cannot  comprehend  how  this  can  be, 
unless  sickness  has  decimated  his  ranks.  As  he  owns  to  have 
had  one  hundred  and  eighty-five  thousand  at  that  period,  he 
must  have  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  thousand  men  now,  un- 
less the  scattered  remains  of  Banks's,  Fremont's,  Milroy's,  and 
Shields's  corps  have  been  gathered  and  sent  to  him.  There 
cannot  be  a  doubt,  however,  that  he  has  drawn  largely  upon 
McDowell,  who  has  been  hovering  around  Fredericksburgh  for 
the  past  two  months.  As  there  is  water  communication  between 
him  and  McClellan,  I  should  not  be  surprised  to  find,  when  the 
next  battle  comes  off,  that  McDowell  is  either  with  him,  or  has 
largely  reenforced  him.  Conjecture  as  we  may,  this  continual 
line  of  ice-wagons  passing  under  our  windows  all  day,  shows 
that  the  hospitals  are  being  prepared  for  emergencies." 

"Orders  have  already  been  issued  to  'clear 'the  hospitals,'  I 
karn,"  said  another,  "and  that  I  regard  as  one  of  the  best  of 
signs.  Our  commissariat,  also,  has  been  unusually  active  dur- 
ing the  past  week  in  delivering  extra  supplies,  and  every  man 
is  furnished  with  sixty  extra  rounds  of  ammunition.  All  the 
field-forges  and  blacksmiths'  shops,  in  and  out  of  the  army, 
have  been  busy  night  and  day  for  the  past  week,  and  hundreds 
of  horses  have  passed  through  the  hands  of  the  farriers.  All 
21 


322  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

these  tilings  mean  something;  but  more  remarkable  than  all 
is  the  fact  that  'Jackson,  instead  of  returning  to  the  Valley,  as  the 
enemy  expected,  has  turned  the  head  of  his  column  towards  Hanover 
Court-House,  on  the  enemy's  right  and  rear  /" 

"This  explains,  then,"  said  one,  "why  Lee  sent  him  such 
heavy  reenforcements.  After  his  brilliant  series  of  victories 
over  the  Federals,  he  fell  back,  as  usual,  to  recuperate,  and  the 
Yankees,  expecting  his  speedy  reappearance  among  them,  de- 
tached several  corps  to  watch  for  and  overwhelm  him  if  he  ad- 
vanced. Thus,  the  force  of  Milroy,  Shields,  Banks,  Fremont,  and 
McDowell,  which  were  primarily  intended  to  advance  from  the 
west  upon.  Eichmond,  and  cooperate  with  McClellan  on  the  east 
in  reducing  our  capital,  are  scattered  up  and  down  the  Valley, 
strategically,  to  watch  'and  capture  the  redoubtable  '  Stonewall,' 
while  the  Texan  and  two  other  brigades  are  sent  round  to  re- 
enforce  him  at  Charlottesville.  But  instead  of  running  into  the 
snare  prepared  for  him,  Jackson  knows  his  opponents  are  be- 
yond supporting  distance  of  McClellan,  so  is  ordered  to  advance 
rapidly  on  their  right  and  rear,  while  we  cooperate  by  an  at- 
tack in  front.  This  is  evidently  the  plan,  and,  if  properly  ex- 
ecuted, will  redound  to  the  glory  of  Lee,  who  framed  it.  McClel- 
lan, however,  is  fully  aware  of  this  movement,  and  although 
he  cannot  prevent  the  impending  'crash,'  he  is  energetically 
preparing  to  meet  it.  Fitz-John  Porter,  you  know,  commands 
the  right,  McClellan  the  centre,  and  Heintzelman  the  left." 

"  ITeintzelman  is  a  crafty  old  fellow,"  said  another,  "  and  is 
not  to  be  caught  with  chaff.  Do  you  know  I  have  seen  large 
volumes  of  smoke  ascending  along  their  whole  line  ?  I  knew 
it  indicated  destruction  of  stores,  and  heard  General  Almsted  say 
as  much  on  Sunday,  (June  twentieth.)  '  Old  Heintzelman,'  said 
he,  '  is  a  wily  old  major ;  see  those  large  bodies  of  smoke  as- 
cending on  their  left — they  have  been  frequent  for  the  past  few 
days,  and  Mac  is  preparing  for  the  worst' " 

"  But  I  have  seen  no  peculiar  disposition  of  force  in  our  line? 
for  an  aggressive  movement,  if  one  is  contemplated." 

"  There  is  no  particle  of  doubt  that  it  is  contemplated,  but 
Lee  will  not  weaken  any  point  of  his  lines  until  the  decisive 
moment,  for  McClellan  might  attack  on  a  weak  side.  When 
Jackson  is  in  position,  you  will  see  Lee's  divisions  move  as  if 
by  magic !" 


PREPAEATIONS.  323 

"He  has  changed  all  our  brigades  entirely  within  the  past 
week,  and  commanders  now  have  different  troops ;  what  does 
all  that  mean  ?" 

"I  do  not" know,"  said  another,  "  that  my  reasons  are  correct, 
but  I  think  Lee  has  simply  acquiesced  in  the  long- expressed 
desire  which  State  regiments  have  had  of  being  brigaded  to- 
gether, so  that  if  successful  or  otherwise,  they  have  only  them- 
selves to  thank  or  blame.  This  plan  of  brigading  excites  great 
emulation,  and  State  pride  will  carry  the  boys  through  difficul- 
ties they  might  not  attempt  if  joined  with  other  troops.  What- 
ever the  reasons,  the  thing  is  done,  as  far  as  practicable,  and 
the  commands  so  changed  and  divided  that  I  scarcely  know 
what  regiments  are  commanded  by  this  or1  that  general,  al- 
though up  to  the  present  time  I  was  well  informed." 

In  short,  however  we  might  speculate,  it  was  generally 
known  that  a  grand  action  was  inevitable,  for  Jackson's  move- 
ments from  Gordonsville  were  rapid,  and  fully  known  to  half 
the  people  of  Eichmond.  On  Wednesday,  June,  twenty -fifth,  it 
was  rumored  that  he  had  reached  Hanover  Court-House,  fifteen 
miles  to  the  right  and  rear  of  the  enemy,  and  the  general  anx- 
iety was  oppressive.  Eockets  at  night  were  continually  as- 
cending on  our  left,  which  Jackson  answered,  and  his  last  or- 
ders were  to  move  next  day  in  the  rear  of  Mechanics ville. 
Longstreet's  and  D.  H.  Hill's  divisions  suddenly  marched  from 
the  Williamsburgh  road  on  Wednesday,  and  bivouacked  on 
the  Mechanicsville  road,  Huger  and  others  being  left  to  hold 
the  right  against  any  attack.  General  Ambrose  Hill's  division 
was  on  the  Meadow  Bridge  road,  to  the  left  of  Longstreet,  and 
General  Branch's  brigade  occupied  the  extreme  left  on  the 
Brook  Church  (or  Hanover  Court-House)  road. 

On  the  north  bank  of  the  river,  at  Brook  Church  Bridge,  the 
enemy  had  collected  in  force,  to  dispute  the  advance  of  Branch, 
but  on  learning  that  Jackson  was  in  their  rear,  they  offered  but 
a  feeble  resistance.  Branch's  brigade,  therefore,  crossed  over 
rapidly  about  three  P.M.,  and  pursued  the  enemy  down  the 
stream,  and  passed  the  Meadow  Bridge,  where  General  Ambrose 
Hill  was  crossing.  Thus  far  events  had  kept  Jackson  on  our 
extreme  left,  endeavoring  to  get  farther  in  the  enemy's  rear; 
Branch's  brigade  was  the  centre,  and  Ambrose  Hill's  division 
the  right  of  our  forces,  which  had  crossed.  In  this  order  they 


I 

324-  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

fought  and  pursued  the  enemy  vigorously,  capturing  many  field- 
works  and  some  cannon.  The  fight  from  Meadow  Bridge  was 
obstinately  maintained,  the  rattle  of  musketry  and  booming  of 
field  and  siege-pieces  being  well-nigh  deafening.  The  day  be- 
ing fine,  a  splendid  view  was  obtained  from  Longstreet's  posi- 
tion, on  the  south  bank,  of  the  progress  of  the  battle  on  the 
north  side.  The  advance  of  our  men  through  the  green  fields 
could  be  plainly  seen,  in  face  of  the  volleys  of  musketry  inces- 
santly poured  in  upon  them  from  every  wood  and  thicket. 
Porter's  field-pieces  were  admirably  worked,  and  occupied  every 
position  of  value ;  the  movements  of  his  infantry  were  executed 
without  confusion. 

From  this  position  the  enemy  were  seen  to  be  gradually  fall- 
ing back,  making  it  evident  that  Jackson  was  advancing  too 
close  upon  their  rear,  although  as  yet  he  had  not  fired  a  shot ; 
while  the  confusion,  clouds  of  dust,  roar  of  ordnance,  and  ex- 
citement of  couriers  round  Porter's  head-quarters  at  Mechanics- 
ville,  told  how  vigorously  Branch  was  pushing  forward  our 
centre,  and  driving  the  enemy  out  of  the  earthworks  they  had 
erected  at  various  points.  Hugging  the  north  bank,  Ambrose 
Hill  maintained  an  unbroken  line,  and  from  the  appearance  of 
smoke  rising  closer  and  closer  to  Mechanicsville,  it  was  evident 
that  he  was  rapidly  gaining  ground,  and  felt  certain  of  storming 
the  village  before  sunset.  Branch  was  still  some  distance  be- 
hind ;  yet  Hill,  with  his  fourteen  thousand  men,  determined  to 
push  on,  and  drive  off  the  enemy  that  held  the  bridge,  so  as  to 
open  and  clear  the  way  for  Longstreet  and  D.  H.  Hill.  After 
much  hard  fighting  this  was  accomplished,  and  the  latter  Gen- 
erals pushed  forward  across  Mechanicsville  Bridge  with  their 
divisions,  and  soon  formed  line  at  right  angles  with  the  river. 
Meanwhile  Ambrose  Hill  had  re-formed  his  troops,  and  com- 
menced an  attack  upon  Mechanicsville  itself,  which  brought  on 
a  terrific  fight. 

This  place  had  been  admirably  fortified  by  Fitz-John  Porter, 
who,  as  an  engineer  and  artillerist,  had  bestowed  much  care 
and  labor  upon  the  works.  Its  strength  was  such  that  if  Jack- 
son had  not  been  hovering  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  it  is  prob- 
able that  Hill  would  have  felt  himself  too  weak  to  attempt  its 
capture.  Artillery  on  both  sides  now  opened  with  a  terrific 
roar,  and,  as  evening  fell,  the  flash  of  guns  and  long  lines  of 


I 

BATTLE   AT    MECHANICSVILLE.  325 

musketry  fire  could  be  seen  in  bright  relief  against  the  blue  and 
cloudless  sky.  After  a  deafening  cannonade  of  half-an-hour, 
and  while  showers  of  shell  were  screaming  through  the  air,  and 
lighting  up  the  face  of  friend  and  foe  when  they  burst,  loud 
yells  from  the  distant  woods  assured  us  our  men  were  ad- 
vancing to  the  assault.  For  a  moment  a  deathlike  silence 
reigned  over  all ;  and  then  again,  our  approach  being  seen,  the 
enemy's  artillery  opened  with  extraordinary  rapidity,  until  it 
seemed  as  if  every  tree  in  the  forest  was  cracking  and  shiver- 
ing to  pieces.  Barns,  houses,  and  stacks  of  hay  and  straw  were 
in  a  blaze.  By  their  light  our  men  were  plainly  visible  rush- 
ing across  the  open  spaces  through  infernal  showers  of  grape, 
and  swarming  into  the  breastworks.  The  explosion  of  caissons 
was  frequent,  and  the  constant  pattering  of  musketry  within 
the  village  showed  our  men  were  there  also.  In  a  little  while 
the  Federal  guns  were  silent,  a  loud  noise  of  many  voices  was 
heard,  and  then  a  long,  wild,  piercing  yell,  as  of  ten  thousand 
demons,  and  the  place  was  ours.*  Presently  the  enemy's  artil- 
lery might  be  seen  flashing  from  mounds  and  hillocks  lower 
down  the  stream,  rapidly  throwing  shell  into  the  village ;  but 
suddenly  ours  flash  from  out  the  darkness  not  far  from  them, 
and  the  duel  continues  with  much  fierceness  as  Hill  is  reorgan- 
izing for  another  advance. 

"While  this  was  progressing  at  the  village,  General  Eipley's 
brigade  moved  still  farther  to  the  left  and  front  to  attack  the 
intrenched  position  of  the  enemy  at  Ellison's  Mills,  but  owing 
to  the  darkness  and  the  strength  of  the  place,  had  to  retire  with 
loss.  This  mill  was  situated  on  ground  higher  than  the  country 
immediately  surrounding  it,  and  the  water  which  worked  it  ran 
through  a  swamp,  debarring  all  assault  in  front.  The  road  ran 
beside  this  swamp,  and  up  a  rise  situated  between  the  Federal 
camps  on  the  right  and  their  field-works  to  the  left  of  the  mill. 
Their  artillery  swept  all  approach  through  the  fields  and  by 

*  Pickctt's  briga'de,  of  Ambrose  Hill's  division,  always  distinguished  itself. 
Brigadier-General  Fickett  is  a  Virginian,  but  was  appointed  to  West-Point'  as  a 
cadet  from  Illinois.  He  entered  the  old  service  as  Brevet  Second  Lieutenant 
Eighth  Infantry,  July  first,  1846 ;  was  breveted  Captain,  September  thirteenth, 
1847,  for  meritorious  services;  and  gazetted  Captain  Ninth  Infantry,  March  third, 
1855.  He  joined  his  mother  State  when  it  seceded,  and  has  proved  an  excellent 
officer. 


I 

326  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

the  road.  All  timber  was  carefully  cleared  away,  and  the 
only  possible  method  in  which  the  position  could  be  attacked 
was  by  crossing  the  creek  and  swamp  higher  up,  and  getting 
in  the  rear.  In  the  excitement  and  darkness,  Ripley  advanced 
his  line  through  the  open  fields,  and  had  reached  the  road  and 
swamp  in  front,  when  suddenly  the  enemy  opened  with  grape,  at 
seventy  yards,  and  mowed  down  whole  files  of  our  men.  The 
word  to  "charge"  ran  from  wing  to  wing,  and  our  men  run- 
ning down  the  bank  to  the  road  beneath,  were  stopped  by  the 
impassable  swamp  and  abattis  ;  to  the  right,  up  the  rising  road, 
cannon  also  blazed  in  their  faces,  and  well-posted  infantry 
poured  in  showers  of  small  shot.  Our  loss  at  this  point  num- 
bered several  hundreds,  and  was  an  unnecessary  sacrifice  of 
human  life.  Retreat  was  the  only  alternative,  and  under 
cover  of  the  darkness,  it  was  eifected  with  little  additional  loss. 
From  Ellison's  Mills  and  Beaver  Dam  Creek,  (the  latter  two 
miles  down  the  Chickahominy,)  the  enemy  maintained  an  in- 
cessant cannonade  until  late  in  the  night,  and  the  luminous 
flight  of  shells  made  a  beautiful  and  comparatively  harmless 
pyrotechnic  display,  which  was  witnessed  with  pleasure  by 
thousands. 

"When  Ambrose  Hill  had  captured  Mechanicsville,  Branch's 
brigade  arrived  upon  the  scene,  and  dispositions  were  instantly 
made  for  renewing  the  conflict  early  next  morning.  Ellison's 
Mills  on  our  left,  in  front,  and  Beaver  Dam  Creek  on  the  right, 
in  front,  were  considerable  obstacles  to  an  advance.  These  posi- 
tions were  -  equidistant  and  within  range  of  each  other :  they 
completely  commanded  the  roads,  and  all  approach  to  them  was 
guarded  by  artillery,  which  threw  twenty-four  pound  shells  into 
every  thicket  and  bush  to  our  front.  Ambulances,  carriages, 
and  litters  were  busy  in  collecting  and  conveying  the  wounded 
to  Richmond ;  prisoners  were  collected,  spoil  secured,  and  vari- 
ous divisions  put  in  proper  order  and  position  for  Friday's  ope- 
rations. The  tramp  of  men  was  incessant ;  artillery  and  am- 
munition wagons  toiled  along;  stragglers  were  brought  in; 
captured  cannon  and  stores  sent  to  the  rear,  and  from  Brook 
Church  turnpike  to  Mechanicsville,  a  distance  of  several  miles, 
lights  were  flitting  in  fields  and  woods,  searching  for  th6 
wounded,  or  burying  the  dead.  The  enemy  had  suffered  more 
severely  than  ourselves,  though  protected  by  frequent  field 


PREPARING  TO   RENEW  THE  STRUGGLE.  327 

works  and  rifle-pits,  which  had  to  be  carried  with  the  bayonet 
The  character  of  Porter's  troops,  however,  was  not  the  best,  for 
had  they  fought  as  ours  did,  the  number  of  those  lost  on  either 
side  would  have  been  reversed. 

As  we  anticipated,  McClellan  had  been  heavily  reenforced 
after  the  battle  of  "  Seven  Pines."  Among  the  first  prisoners  I 
encountered  were  the  "Bucktail  Eifles"  and  "Pennsylvania  Ee* 
serve  Corps,"  which  formed  part  of  General  McCall's  division' 
hurriedly  sent  from  McDowell's  army  round  Fredericksburgh  I 
McCall,  then  twelve  thousand  strong,  together  with  parts  of 
Fremont's  and  Shields's  Valley  troops,  had  reached  McClellan, 
and  had  augmented  his  force  by  at  least  twenty  thousand  men. 
We  were  evidently  outnumbered,  but  this  news  came  too  late. 
The  prisoners,  numerous  as  they  were,  spoke  confidently  of 
McClellan's  success,  and  seemed  to  pity  us  for  daring  to  attack 
him.  They  did  not  know  where  he  intended  to  make  his  "  big 
fight,"  but  as  heavy  forces  were  posted  at  Gaines's  Mills,  (his 
centre  on  both  banks,)  it  was  possible  our  overthrow  would  be 
consummated  there.  I  never  saw  such  impudent  and. bom. 
bastic  fellows  as  these  Pennsylvanians  were — always  excepting 
New-England  troops.  Although  they  had  been  soundly  thrashed 
by  Jackson  in  the  Valley,  and  by  Lee  at  this  place,  they  spoke 
of  "strategic  movements,"  "change  of  base,"  etc.,  as  solemnly 
as  donkeys. 

About  midnight,  our  preparations  being  completed,  Brigadiers 
Featherstone  and  Pryor  moved  up  towards  Beaver  Dam  Creek 
on  the  right,  and  Brigadier  Maxy  Gregg,  x  to  wards  Ellison's 
Mills,  on  the  left,  Jackson  being  still  to  the  enemy's  rear,  and 
converging  towards  the  Chickahominy,  in  the  direction  of  Coal 
Harbor,  near  Gaines's  Mills.  Featherstone's  Mississippians,  in 
advance,  hugged  the  river,  and  halted  on  a  wooded  slope  near 
the  stream,  within  five  hundred  yards  of  the  position  of  Beaver 
Dam  Creek.  The  movement  was  effected  silently,  and  in  the 
dim  light  I  could  plainly  see  the  work  before  us.  A  farm-house 
was  situated  about  half  a  mile  from  the  river,  on  high  ground 
which  sloped  towards  the  bank.  A  creek  ran  in  front  of  the 
dwellings,  and  at  right  angles  to  Featherstone  and  the  river. 
No  bridges  were  discovered  on  which  to  cross  and  get  in  the 
rear,  where  rose  majestic  woods  filled  with  troops.  The  "  rise  " 
was  crowned  with  strong  breastworks,  commanding  all  ap- 


328  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE  SOUTH. 

preaches,  and  rifle-pits  on  the  flanks  covered  the  creek.  Pryor, 
and  his  Louisianians,  occupied  higher  grounds  to  the  left  of  this 
position,  screened  by  woods,  while  the  entire  front  was  open 
fields. 

Featherstone,  who  commanded,  had  been  to  consult  with 
superior  officers,  and  returning  about  four  A.M.,  (Friday,  June 
twenty-seventh,)  found  the  enemy  had  discovered  his  covert, 
and  were  vigorously  shelling  it.  His  men  jumped  to  their  arms, 
and  advanced  in  the  twilight — when  from  the  mound  to  the 
left  in  front,  from  the  banks  of  the  creek  on  the  flanks,  and 
from  the  elevated  rifle-pits  to  the  rear,  came  rapidly  and  more 
rapidly  the  flash  of  artillery  and  musketry.  The  disparity  of 
numbers  and  position  would  have  appalled  any  troops  but 
those  selected  to  storm  the  place.  Skirmishers  advanced  to 
the  front,  and,  occupying  bushes  on  the  edge  of  the  creek, 
maintained  a  brisk  and  deadly  fire,  and  in  a  short  time  cleared 
the  opposite  bank,  while  the  main  body  advanced  with  loud 
shouts  to  the  attack.  Volunteers  from  both  brigades  con- 
structed temporary  bridges  on  which  to  cross,  but  the  passage 
was  obstinately  disputed  and  many  were  killed. 

Once  across,  the  infantry  fight  became  animated,  while  three 
companies  of  artillery  poured  showers  of.  shell  into  the  enemy's 
works,  and  silenced  several  guns.  Pryor,  on  the  left,  was 
slow  in  his  advance ;  but  Featherstone,  riding  over,  soon  urged 
them  into  rapid  motion,  and  as  our  right  had  pushed  some 
distance  ahead  towards  the  left  rear  of  the  Federal  position, 
the  Louisianians  assailed  the  right  with  terrific  yells,  and  find- 
ing a  passage  across  the  creek,  were  soon  on  a  line  with  our 
right.  The  enemy's  infantry,  though  numerous,  seemed  disin- 
clined to  venture  on  open  ground,  so  while  our  wings  held 
theirs  in  check,  an  assault  in  front  was  determined  upon.  For 
this,  however,  Pryor  deemed  our  force  insufficient ;  and  having 
sent  for  reenforcements  unknown  to  Featherstone,  Brigadier 
Wilcox  came  on  the  scene  with  his  Alabamians.  The  chief 
command  would  now  have  devolved  on  Wilcox,  but  he  waived 
his  right,  and  our  artillery  opened  at  shorter  range  with  a 
terrific  noise ;  suddenly  the  cannonade  ceased,  and  up  sprung 
our  centre,  rushed  across  the  creek,  up  the  "rise,"  over  the  dry 
ditch,  and  in  a  few  moments  were  swarming  over  the  parapet, 
shooting  and  bayoneting  the  troops  defending  it. 


CAPTURE  OF  THE  REDOUBT.  329 

The  sight  at  this  moment  was  awfully  grand.  Men  standing 
on  the  parapet  were  fighting  in  every  conceivable  attitude,  and 
as  the  sun  brilliantly  rose  over  the  tree-tops,  illumining  the 
scene,  the  semicircular  line  of  fight,  with  its  streams  of  fire, 
bursting  of  caissons,  shouts,  yells,  and  charging  on  the  right 
and  left  —  the  centre  occupied  by  the  strong  redoubt,  crowds 
of  combatants  rushing  in  and  out,  with  a  sea  of  heads  swaying 
to  and  fro  round  our  banner  floating  on  the  wall — all  was  soul- 
stirring,  sublime,  and  horrible.  The  fight  on  and  around  the 
hill,  supports  advancing  from  the  woods,  the  volley  and  rush 
of  our  men  to  prevent  it — the  occasional  discharge  of  cannon 
in  the  works — men  clambering  up  and  tumbling  from  para- 
pets— the  yells,  shrieks,  and  shouts  of  friend  and  foe  in  that 
central  position,  clouded  with  vapor,  and  its  floating  banner — 
all  spoke  of  a  terrible  attack  and  a  desperate  resistance.  One 
wild  yell ! — out  poured  the  enemy ;  and  as  they  rushed  across 
the  open  ground  to  their  brethren  in  the  woods,  there  came 
Southerners  through  the  opening  in  pursuit  —  reeling,  bleed- 
ing, shouting,  powder-blackened,  and  fainting,  madly  firing 
random  shots,  and  sinking  from  fatigue.  Quickly  the  line  was 
formed  in  rear  of  the  works ;  all  joined  in  the  final  charge ; 
cannon  belched  forth  grape  and  canister  into  the  woods,  tear- 
ing down  limbs  and  trees ;  then  one  ringing  shout  passed  along 
the  line;  "double-quick"  was  the  order  given,  and  drawing 
the  enemy's  fire,  our  men  replied  at  fifty  yards,  yelled,  charged 
into  the  timber,  and  scattered  them  like  chaff  before  the  wind. 
All  was  over ! — the  foe  hastily  retreated  through  the  wood, 
where  our  cavalry  could  not  follow.  Cannon,  small  arms, 
prisoners,  and  stores,  were  the  trophies  of  victory;  Wilcox 
took  up  the  advance,  while,  wearied  with  several  hours'  severe 
fighting  and  loss,  the  other  two  brigades  rested  round  the  well- 
contested  redoubt 

•  In  the  midst  of  all  this  din,  loud  reports  from  the  left,  and 
stray  shell  screaming  over  head,  told  that  Gregg's  South-Caro- 
linian brigade  was  similarly  engaged  at  Ellison's  Mills.  Pro- 
fiting by  Ripley's  discomfiture  the  previous  evening,  Gregg 
determined  to  cross  the  swamp  some  distance  higher  up,  while 
engaging  the  enemy's  attention  in  front.  At  the  moment, 
therefore,  that  the  engagement  opened  on  his  right — fully 


330  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

convinced  he  had  naught  to  fear  from  anj  force  sent  from 
Beaver  Dam  Creek  to  operate  on  his  right  flank — he  crossed 
the  greater  part  of  his  command  a  mile  above  the  battery,  and 
screened  them  in  the  timber;  then  posting  a  cloud  of  skir- 
mishers in  front  of  the  guns  to  draw  their  fire  and  annoy  the 
enemy's  supports,  the  word  was  given.  Our  artillery  opened 
fire,  and  at  the  same  instant  our  infantry  rushed  in  from  the 
rear  and  seized  the  work ;  others,  ascending  the  rising  road, 
poured  into  the  Federal  camp,  and  subjected  the  enemy  to  a 
destructive  two-side*d  fire,  while  shells  poured  thick  and  fast 
on  their  line  of  retreat.  Gregg  displayed  his  usual  judgment 
in  this  brilliant  affair,  and  his  success  doubtless  expedited 
matters  at  Beaver  Dam  Creek. 

It  was  now  past  eight  A.M.,  and  since  both  routes  were  open, 
troops  began  to  move  in  strong  columns,  shouting  and  yelling 
vigorously  as  they  passed  the  positions,  and  saw  guns,  prison- 
ers, and  stores  strewn  on  every  side,  with  fatigued,  dusty,  and 
ragged  brigades  resting  in  the  shade.  "  Time  "  was  evidently 
an  object  with  General  Lee ;  he  knew  McClellan  had  endeav- 
ored to  force  Porter  into  an  energetic  resistance  thus  far,  so 
as  to  gain  time  to  protect  his  centre  on  the  north  bank,  sit- 
uated in  the  neighborhood  of  Gaines's  Mills,  near  the  river. 
Cavalry  scouts  were,  therefore,  rapidly  pushed  ahead,  and  in- 
fantry followed,  batteries  being  at  hand  to  withstand  any  sud- 
den exhibition  of  force,  and  open  the  fight,  should  the  enemy 
feel  desirous  of  trying  the  fortunes  of  war  in  any  of  the  very 
large  open  farms  intervening  between  us  and  Gaines's  prop- 
erty. Ellison's  Mills  and  Beaver  Dam  Creek  were,  in  fact,' 
the  impediments  thrown  out  to  obstruct  -our  advance ;  and, 
though  brilliantly  fought  actions,  were  simply  considered  as 
preliminary  to  others  of  greater  importance  within  a  few 
hours'  march. 

The  advance,  therefore,  was  prosecuted  with,  vigor,  and  it 
was  scarcely  nine  A.M.  ere  the  several  divisions  were  rapidly 
approaching  the  enemy.  General  Ambrose  Hill  was  in  the 
centre,  "bearing  towards  Coal  Harbor;  Generals  Longstreet 
and  A.  P.  Hill  proceeded  along  the  edge  of  the  Chicka- 
hominy  on  the  right,  while  Jackson  was  still  far  to  the  left, 
threatening  the  enemy's  right  rear  as  he  gradually  converged 
towards  the  river.  In  this  order  the  three  columns  proceeded 


GATNES'S  MILLS.  331 

through  the  country  towards  Gaines's  .Mills,  but  were  frequent- 
ly halted  and  formed  in  line  to  invite  a  combat  with  the  enemy 
in  fdir  open  ground.  They  would  not  accept  our  frequent 
challenges,  however,  but  slowly  retired  through  the  woods, 
feeling  confident  in  the  strength  of  their  position  at  the  mill. 

Arriving  at  Hogan's  plantation,  one  and  a  half  miles  west 
of  the  mill,  General  Lee  took  up  temporary  quarters  there, 
while  the  columns  of  Ambrose  Hill  and  Longstreet  halted  in 
the  open  to  await  the  arrival  of  Jackson's  right  at  New  Coal 
Harbor. 

Unacquainted  as  I  was  with  the  country,  I  tad  several 
narrow  escapes  from  horse  pickets  stationed  on  roads  that 
ran  through  dense  woods;  more  than  once  I  ran  the  gaunt- 
let of  their  pistol-shots;  until,  being  by  no  means  inclined 
to  offer  my  life  a  sacrifice  to  motives  of  curiosity,  I  returned 
to  our  advance  lines  scattered  through  the  timber,  and  hitched 
my  horse  among  scores  of  others  round  Hogan's  house.  Here 
Lee,  Longstreet,  and  a  crowd  of  dignitaries  were  gathered  in 
council  upon  the  doorsteps  and  grassy  sward,  and  as  I  had 
never  before  seen  so  many  of  our  generals  together,  I  amused 
myself  by  making  such  observations  as  I  could ;  solacing  my- 
self with  a  smoke,  and  in  the  mean  time  studying  an  interest- 
ing chapter  in  physiognomy. 


CHAPTEE  XKXIV. 

The  Week's  Campaign  before  Kichmond,  continued  —  Battle  of  Gaines's  Mill  — 
Sketches  of  the  Generals  previous  to  the  Battle — Position  of  Jackson — Advance 
of  Wilcox,  featherstone,  and  Pryor — The  Centre  under  Ambrose  Hill  —  The 
Texan  Brigade  brought  into  Action — McClellan's  Infantry  Charge — Defeat  of 
his  Right  Wing  and  Centre — The  Field  of  Battle — Capture  of  Guns  and  Booty- 
Death  of  Major  Wheat — Confederates  in  Striped  Pantaloons. 

HOGAN'S  residence,  Lee's  temporary  quarters,  was  not  far 
from  the  river,  and  I  could  distinctly  see  our  batteries  and 
troops  at  Garnett's  farm  (Magruder's  quarters)  on  the  south 
bank,  and  in  a  direct  line  across.  It  was  now  about  one  P.M., 
and  as  we  had  full  possession  of  both  banks  thus  far,  several 
couriers  rode  over  to  Magruder,  and  one  of  his  heavy  batteries 
immediately  opened  upon  the  woods  on  the  north  bank,  about 
a  mile  to  our  immediate  front,  in  order  to  clear  the  way  for  our 
further  advance.  Our  skirmishers  were  far  ahead,  popping 
away  in  the  timber,  and  in  addition  to  this  evidence,  the  occa- 
sional discharge  of  field-pieces  told  we  were  gradually  work- 
ing towards  Gaines's  Miils.  The  enemy  had  abandoned  a  fine 
field-work  in  Hogan's  orchard,  and  several  other  important 
structures  still  clpser  to  the  river.  This  house  was  badly  shat- 
tered by  our  shot  and  shell,  and  seemed  to  be  very  shaky ;  in 
the  upper  rooms  we  saw  large  stains  of  blood,  near  where  a 
shell  had  entered ;  we  were  told  by  prisoners  that  McClellan 
had  used  the  place  occasionally  in  his  journeys  along  the  lines, 
and  that  on  one  occasion,  while  all  were  in  bed,  a  shell  came 
whizzing  across,  and  cleared  its  way  completely  through  the 
walls,  killing  one  aid-de-camp  and  severely  wounding  an- 
other !  Be  this  as  it  may,  some  were  killed  at  this  spot  during 
our  frequent  artillery  duels;  the  out-houses  bore  every  ap- 
pearance of  having  been  used  for  hospitals,  while  numerous 
mounds  of  earth  spoke  of  sepulture. 

The  whole  yard  and  orchard  were  now  occupied  by  general 


GENERAL  MAXY  GREGG.  333 

officers,  aids,  couriers,  and  prisoners.  Lee  sat  in  the  south 
portico  absorbed  in  thought.  lie  was  neatly  dressed  in  a  dark 
blue  uniform,  buttoned  to  the  throat ;  his  fine  calm  open  coun- 
tenance and  grey  hair  -would  have  tempted  an  artist  to  sketch 
him  in  this  thoughtful  attitude.  Longstreet  sat  in  an  old  gar- 
den-chair, at  the  foot  of  the  steps,  under  shady  trees,  busily 
engaged  in  disposing  of  a  lunch  of  sandwiches.  With  his  feet 
thrown  against  a  tree,  he  presented  a  true  type  of  the  hardy 
campaigner ;  his  once  grey  uniform  had  changed  to  brown,  and 
many  a  button  was  missing ;  his'  riding-boots  were  dusty  and 
worn,  but  his  pistols  and  sabre  had  a  bright  polish  by  his  side, 
while  his  charger  stood  near,  anxiously  looking  at  him,  as  if 
expecting  a  morsel  of  bread  and  meat.  Though  the  day  was 
warm,  the  General's  coat  was  buttoned  up  as  well  as  it  could 
be,  and  as  he  ate  and  conversed  freely  with  those  around  him, 
it  was  evident  that  his  sandy  beard,  moustaches,  and  half-bald 
head,  had  latterly  had  but  distant  dealings  with  a  barber.  He 
is  a  little  above  medium  height,  thick-set,  inclined  to  obesity, 
and  has  a  small  inquiring  blue  eye;  though  thoughtful  and 
slow  of  motion,  he  is  remarkably  industrious.  He  was  a  major 
in  the  United  States  army,  and  being  absent  in  the  South-West 
when  the  rebellion  opened,  he  hurried  on  -to  the  scene  of  action, 
and  has  greatly  distinguished  himself.  He  appears  to  be  about 
thirty-five  or  forty  years  of  age,  and  is  now  Major-General 
C.  S.  A.  Of  his  frequent  successes,  much  is  said  in  the  course 
of  this  narrative. 

Maxy  Gregg  sits  his  horse  in  the  shade,  conversing  with  a 
few  about  the  affair  at  Ellison's  Mills,  and  seems  a  very  mod- 
est, quiet  gentleman,  of  about  fifty.  His  hair  is  grey ;  he  has 
full  whiskers  and  moustaches  and  a  ruddy  complexion;  in 
person,  he  is  thick-set,  of  medium  height,  and  is  jocular  in  his 
manner.  His  uniform  looked  the  worse  for  wear;  even  the 
three  stars  upon  his  throat  being  dingy  and  ragged,  while  his 
common  black  felt  hat  would  not  bring  half  a  dollar  at  any 
place  in  times  of  peace.  But  he  is  well  mounted  and  armed, 
and  keeps  an  eye  on  General  Lee,  by  whom  he  expects  to  be 
called  at  any  moment.  He  is  a  famous  lawyer  of  South-Caro- 
lina, and  when  the  United  States  were  at  war  with  Mexico, 
President  Polk  offered  him  the  majorship  of  the  first  additional 
regiment  of  regulars  which  was  then  being  raised.  He  served 


334  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE  SOUTH. 

during  that  campaign,  but  achieved  no  distinction  until  the 
affair  at  Vienna,  when  he  successfully  smashed  up  a  Dutch 
General's  reconnoissance  on  the  railroad,  as  narrated  in  another 
place.  Gregg  is  called !  he  leans  his  head  through  a  window 
and  converses  with  Lee,  but  trots  away  as  if  dissatisfied. 
"There  goes  Gregg,"  some  one  remarks,  "  looking  as  black  as 
thunder  because  not  appointed  to  the  advance." 

Wilcox,  Pryor,  and  Featherstone  are  also  present,  convers- 
ing freely  and  gaily,  as  if  about  to  start  upon  some  pleasant 
"pic-nic."  The  latter  is  a  long-bodied,  eagle-faced,  quiet  man 
of  thirty -five  years,  without  moustaches  or  whiskers,  with  a 
prominent  Roman  nose  and  compressed  lips ;  he  leans  forward 
uneasily  in  his  saddle,  and  with  his  downcast  eyes  appears 
very  thoughtful ;  but  he  is  a  desperate,  unflinching  man  when 
once  aroused.  He  seems  to  take  little  notice  of  complimentary 
remarks  regarding  the  action  at  Beaver  Dam  Creek  in  the 
morning,  but  is  absorbed  and  anxious  for  the  work  assigned 
him.  He  is  a  thorough  soldier,  and  when  commanding  the 
Seventeenth  Mississippi,  drilled  his  battalion  thrice  a  day 
through  all  the  heat  of  summer,  apparently  enjoying  the  ex- 
ercise more  than  any.  At'Leesburgh  he  led  his  regiment  in 
the  last  charge,  and  drove  many  of  the  enemy  into  the  river. 
He  is  a  lawyer  and  politician  of  note  in  Mississippi,  very  care- 
less of  dress,  and  very  blunt  in  his  manner. 

Having  received  orders,  Wilcox,  Featherstone,  and  Pryor 
ride  off  at  a  gallop,  and  some  prophesy  that  the  advance  will 
soon  begin.  Besides  these  and  other  generals,  there  are  a  few 
civilians  present,  chiefly  land-owners  in  the  neighborhood,  who 
have  come  to  see  the  havoc  perpetrated  by  General  Sykes's 
regulars,  who  were  encamped  around  here.  A  courier  comes 
galloping  forward,  delivers  his  papers  to  Lee,  who  soon  after 
mounts,  and  with  Longstreet  and  staffs,  proceeds  to  New  Coal 
Harbor,  where  it  is  said  Jackson's  right  wing  has  already  ar- 
rived. Magruder's  guns  have  stopped  their  cannonade,  and 
the  advance  begins,  through  the  woods  towards  Gaines's 
Mills. 

Jackson  was  in  position  at  New  Coal  Harbor  on  the  left,  and 
Ambrose  Hill  in  the  centre ;  »it  now  devolved  on  Longstreet 
and  D.  H.  Hill  to  move  forward  and  get  into  position  on  our 
right.  With  skirmishers  thrown  out  in  the  woods,  Longstreet 


BATTLE  OF  GAINES'S  MILLS.  335 

moved  cautiously  forward,  and  drove  in  the  enemy's  outposts 
as  he  proceeded.  Halting  in  the  woods,  west  of  Gaines's  House, 
Pryor's  column  was  sent  forward  about  three  P.M.  to  clear  the 
woods  and  river-bank,  south  of  Gaines's  House,  of  a  force  sta- 
tioned there  to  annoy  us.  After  this  was  accomplished,  and 
the  enemy  driven  across  a  creek  eastward,  and  at  right  angles 
with  the  river,  (running  here  east  and  west,)  part  of  Longstreet's 
force  left  the  woods  and  halted  around  Gaines's  House,  beyond 
range  of  the  enemy,  on  rising  ground  to  the  north. 

To  facilitate  a  full  conception  of  this  heavy  and  obstinate 
battle,  let  the  following  suffice  in  lieu  of  maps. 

The  reader  is  requested  to  imagine  a  large  field,  more  than  a 
mile  square.     The  north-eastern   and  north-western   quarters 
will  represent  high  flat  lands,  with  the  Federal  force  occupying 
the  north-eastern  quarter,  backed  by  woods.     A  creek,  which 
runs  from  the  north  to  the  Chickahominy,  forms  the  southern 
boundary  of  this  supposed  square.     The  Federal  cannon  com- 
mand the  north-eastern  quarter,  which  is  flat  and  level,  as  also 
the  south-eastern  and  south-western  quarters,  which  are  con- 
siderably lower.     In  the  south-western  corner  stands  Gaines's 
House  and  Mills,  by  which  we  approach  on  a  road  that  ascends 
north- east warclly   to   the   centre  of   the    field,   runs   through 
McClellan's  position,  and  terminates  in  the  north-eastern  cor- 
ner.    A  road  also  comes  into  the  field  at  the  north  western 
corner,  and  it  was  at  this  point  (New  Coal  Harbor)  that  Jackson 
arrived.      A  line  drawn  due  east  and  west  will  represent  a 
broad  brook  running  eastward  into  the  creek  to  the  rear  of  the 
Federals ;  but  the  only  wood  in  this  square  field  borders  this 
brook  from  the  centre  point  running  due  west,  being  a  steep 
and  timbered  ascent  on  to  the  plateau  of  the  north-western 
corner.     In  a  word,  it  might  be  said  the   north-eastern   and 
north-western  quarters  are  much  higher  than  the  south-eastern 
and   south-western  quarters;  the   latter  much  lower,  and  all 
ascent  to  the  north-western  quarter  debarred  by  a  broad  brook, 
with  timbered  land  abruptly  rising  at  the  back.     With  cannon 
on  the  north-eastern  corner,  where  the  enemy  stood  in  line  of 
battle,  they  swept  the  other  three  quarters ;  but  to  prevent  the 
passage  of  the  brook  and  woods,  the  common  boundary  of  the 
north  and  south-western  quarters,  a  strong  breastwork  over- 


336  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

looked  the  brook  in  the  woods,  while  through  the  timber  and 
up  the  hill  rose  many  rifle-pits,  and  above  all  some  dozen 
pieces  of  artillery,  placed  on  the  edge  of  this  belt  of  timber, 
covering  the  breastworks,  rifle-pits,  etc.,  and  sweeping  all  ap- 
proach from  Gaines's  Mills  in  the  south-western  quarter.  This 
brook  and  wooded  hill  was  also  the  front  of  the  north-western 
quarter,  so  that  all  approach  to  the  enemy  was  over  such  diffi- 
culties, while  several  field-works  were  erected  on  the  line  due 
north  and  east  to  prevent  all  flanking  movements  in  that  di- 
rection. 

McClellan's  position  was  admirably  chosen  and  well  fortified. 
To  defend  it  he  had  brought  over  many  troops  from  the  south 
bank  (his  south  centre)  by  bridges  not  more  than  a  mile  distant, 
protected  from  all  attack  by  a  strongly  fortified  camp  and  hill 
in  the  south-eastern  corner  of  the  field,  its  foot  being  washed  by 
the  creek  before  mentioned,  which  empties  here  into  the  Chick- 
ahominy.  When  Longstreet's  and  D.  H.  Hill's  division,  there- 
fore, debouched  from  the  woods  near  the  Mills  in  the  south- 
western quarter,  the  glitter  of  bayonets  made  the  Federals 
plainly  visible  in  battle  array  on  the  high  grounds  of  the  north- 
eastern quarter.  A  few  shell  were  thrown  at  the  head  of  our 
column,  but  without  doing  hurt,  and  not  a  shot  was  fired  from 
the  belt  of  timber  crowning  the  ascent  from  the  centre,  west 
and  north-western  boundaries  of  the  plateau.  The  enemy 
wished  us  to  suppose  that  the  passage  to  the  north-western 
quarter  would  be  undisputed,  and  that  all  they  desired  was  a 
fair,  open  fight,  when  we  reached  the  plateau. 

It  was  now  four  P. at.,  and  Ambrose  Hill  having  opened  the 
fight  to  the  left,  Pryor,  Wilcox,  and  Featherstone  moved 
through  the  woods  to  the  west.  Having  got  sufficiently  under 
the  hill  to  prevent  loss  from  shell  thrown  from  the  north-eastern 
quarter,  each  commander  gathered  his  troops  well  together, 
gave  the  word,  "  File  right,  double-quick  I"  and  under  a  storm 
of  lead  from  the  hill,  ran  eastward,  parallel  with  the  brook, 
gave  the  word,  "  By  the  left  flank — double  quick !"  and  in  less 
than  three  minutes,  Wilcox  on  the  right,  Featherstone  in  the 
centre,  and  Pryor  on  the  left,  were  rushing  along  the  open 
towards  the  brook.  Here,  having  descended  the  "  dip,"  they 
jumped  into  the  brook,  and  tumbling  or  clambering  over  logs 
and  brushwood,  found  themselves  confronted  by  a  heavy  force 


FIGHTING  UP-HILL.  337 

of  the  enemy  who  were  posted  behind  a  long  breastwork,  and 
in  rifle-pits  on  higher  ground  to  the  rear. 

The  manner  of  our  approach  was  the  best  that  could  be  . 
devised,  for  had  these  brigades  marched  in  the  fields,  instead  of 
creeping  through  the  woods  and  hollows,  to  the  west  of  this 
"  rise,"  few  would  have  survived  the  hailstorm  which  awaited 
them.  By  cautiously  approaching  at  right  angles  with  the 
brook,  until  near  it,  giving  the  word,  "File  right — double- 
quick,"  until  each  had  got  into  position  in  line,  and  then,  "  By 
the  left  flank — double  quick!"  it  brought  the  brigades  directly 
under  the  rising  ground,  protected  from  the  fire  of  the  north- 
eastern quarter ;  and  by  rapidly  moving,  they  got  so  near  the 
brook,  that  cannon  on  the  rise  to  the  rear  could  not  be  depress- 
ed sufficiently  to  hit,  without  killing  their  own  men,  who  were 
now  hand  to  hand  with  ours  at  the  brook,  and  obstinately  de- 
fending their  line  of  breastworks. 

In  such  a  position,  and  on  such  broken  ground,  officers  saw 
'it  would  be  impossible  to  ride,  and  as  many  horses  had  been 
shot  in  the  morning  at  Beaver  Dam  Creek,  Wilcox,  Feather- 
stone,  Pryor,  and  other  officers,  left  their  steeds  in  the  woods, 
where  they  had  been  quietly  drawn  up  since  two  P.M. ;  anjl 
when  orders  came  to  advance,  they  buttoned  up  their  coats, 
pressed  down  their  hats,  drew  their  swords,  and  dashed  forward 
on  foot,  giving  the  word  of  command  in  tones  which  were 
audible  amid  the  roar  of  musketry.  Though  many  fell  in  the 
rush  while  "filing  right  "from  the  woods,  and  "by  the  left 
flank "  across  the  open,  down  the  "  dip  "  to  the  brook,  none 
faltered ;  ranks  closed  up  as  soon  as  broken,  and  each  brigade 
seemed  emulous  of  the  others  in  keeping  a  straight  and  un- 
broken front,  as  if  executing  "  double-quick  "  movements  in  a 
divisional  drill. 

There  was  much  confusion  at  the  brook,  which  had  been 
deepened  and  made  still  more1  difficult  by  every  impediment 
that  could  be  devised.  But,  once  across,  our  men  scaled  the 
wooden  and  earthen  line  of  wall  that  overlooked  it,  and  were 
soon  desperately  engaged  with  masses  of  infantry,  who  retired 
up  the  hill  and  kept  up  a  deafening  roar  of  musketry  against 
our  farther  advance.  The  situation  was  critical,  but  while  our 
skirmishers  "  fanned  out "  in  front,  and  from  behind^frvery  tree 
22 


338  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

fired  into  whole 'regiments  before  them,  lines  were  re-formed, 
and  cheers  told  of  our  continual  progress.  The  enemy's  skir- 
mishers, concealed  in  bushes,  disputed  the  ground  inch  by  inch, 
while  an  unbroken  line  behind  them  on  higher  ground  fired 
upon  us,  over  the  heads  of  their  sharpshooters.  In  fact,  there 
were  "three  tiers"  of  combatants  opposed  to  our  advance — first 
a  dense  body  of  skirmishers ;  next,  a  few  yards  to  the  rear,  and 
on  higher  ground,  an  unbroken  line  of  battle;  and  thirdly,  still 
farther  behind,  and  on  the  edge  of  the  unwooded  plateau,  a  line 
of  cannon,  which  depressed  as  much  as  possible,  fairly  shaved 
our  heads,  blew  off  our  caps,  and  broke  our  bayonet-points I 
"  "Warm  work,  this  I"  one  of  the  generals  remarked,  as  he  ran 
in  our  rear  towards  the  right,  -with  a  regiment  to  meet  a  flank- 
ing force  entering  the  woods  from  the  north-eastern  plateau — 
"  warm  work,  colonel,  but  push  them  hard,  sir,  for  every  thing 
depends  on  ws."  This  admonition  was  not  necessary  to  stir  up 
our  men,  for  they  knew  that  fewer  would  fall  from  rushing  to 
"close  quarters"  than  by  advancing  slowly,  and  firing  from 
"long  taw." 

Accordingly,  the  word  rang  out  from  wing  to  wing,  "  For- 
ward, march !"  and,  with  indescribable  yells,  the  advance  began. 
The  woods  were  soon  completely  filled  with  smoke,  so  much  so 
that  the  position  of  the  enemy  could  only  be  ascertained  by 
the  sudden  flashes  of  light  across  our  front.  Standing  erect,  our 
men  would  reply  with  a  deliberate  volley,  at  fifty  yards ;  rush 
forward,  crouch  and  load,  while  the  return  volley  swept  over 
our  heads,  and  cart-loads  of  leaves  and  branches  cut  by  the 
storm  well-nigh  buried  us.  Our  men  in  return  aimed  up  hill, 
but  sufficiently  low,  at  the  line  of  legs  just  visible  under  the 
smoke ;  and  such  was  the  precision  of  fire,  that  as  we  steadily 
advanced,  we  had  to  stride  over  bodies  which  lay  just  as  they 
had  fallen,  in  regular  line,  but  seldom  with  the  faces  turned  to- 
wards us.  The  destructiveness' of  our  fire  far  surpassed  any 
thing  I  have  ever  witnessed ;  but  owing  to  the  Indian  or  Zouave 
style  of  fighting  instinctively  adopted  by  our  men,  namely,  of 
standing  erect,  taking  deliberate  aim,  and  firing ;  instantly  bend- 
ing low,  or  crawling  several  yards  to  the  front ;  rapidly  loading^ 
waiting  for  a  "  return ;"  and  judging  of  distance  by  the  line  of 
legs  visible  under  the  dense  vapor,  which  did  not  fall  within 
two  feet  of  the  ground — our  casualties  were  unaccountably 


CHARGE  OF  THE  TEXANS.  839 

few,  and  those  were  of  men  mostly  shot  in  the  hand  or  arm, 
owing  to  the  overshooting  of  the  enemy. 

So  far  I  have  described  the  progress  of  the  battle  under 
"Wilcox,  Featherstone,  and  Pryor,  the  result  being  that  the 
enemy  are  gradually  falling  back  through  the  woods  to  the 
plateau  in  the  north-eastern  and  north-western  corners  of  the 
field.  But  at  the  same  time  Ambrose  Hill  was  vigorously 
pushing  the  centre  of  the  enemy's  line,  and  some  of  Jackson's 
forces  had  come  into  action  on  the  left,  from  New  Coal  Harbor, 
by  the  road  approaching  the  field  in  the  north-western  corner. 
Being  driven  from  the  woods  and  up  the  hill  on  to  the  plateau 
by  our  right  and  centre,  the  enemy  fell  back,  and  immediately 
threw  forward  a  heavy  force  of  artillery,  which  swept  the  open 
fields  and  tore  down  the  edge  of  the  captured  woods  in  which 
our  forces  were  resting  and  re-forming. 

Fatigued  and  torn  as  we  were,  work  more  desperate  was  yet 
in  store  for  us.  In  the  north-eastern  corner  of  the  field  heavy 
masses  of  infantry  stood  in  admirable  order  about  half  a  mile 
distant.  It  was  easy  to  see  from  the  array  of  shining  bayo- 
nets, the  waving  banners,  t  and  the  perfect  circle  of  artillery 
flame  rapidly  shelling  north  and  south-west,  that  before  we 
could  advance  through  their  still  standing  camps  many  thou- 
sands would  inevitably  fall.  Ambrose  Hill  attempted  to  move 
forward  in  the  centre,  but  his  division,  thoroughly  exhausted 
by  hard  marching  and  constant  fighting,  was  unequal  to  the 
task,  and  was  withdrawn  in  favor  of  Whiting's  division  of 
Texans,  Alabamians,  and  Mississipians.  The  troops  of  the 
two  latter  States  had  succored  Pryor  on  the  left,  and  had  been 
actively  engaged  since  the  combat  opened,  but  the  Texan  Bri- 
gade was  held  in  reserve,  and  as  this  was  the  first  "  great  fight " 
in  which  they  had  participated  in  Virginia,  a  desperate  part 
was  assigned  them  to  act. 

"While  dispositions  were  being  made  for  the  final  struggle, 
the  sun  sank  upon  the  scene,  and  perhaps  mistaking  the  cause 
of  our  inactivity,  McClellan  moved  up  heavy  masses  of  in- 
fantry to  drive  us  from  the  woods.  Their  advance  was  beau- 
tiful, and  as  they  came  on  in  unbroken  line,  with  colors  wav- 
ing and  men  cheering,  a  thrill  of  admiration  was  felt  by  all. 
When  within  a  hundred  yards,  our  men,  who  lay  close  to.  the 
ground  in  the  edge  of  the  timber,  received  the  volley,  and  rose 


•:-"  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE 

to  their  feet  at  a  ureadj!n  The  Federal  nciiMiiaiidfn  then 
sprang  to  the  front,  and  led  on  their  men  to  the  "charge P 
They  advanced  a  few  yards  in  unbroken  Hue — a  few  paces 
nearer  their  fine  began  to  waver,  and  awajed  from  wing  to 
wing  Eke  a  carving  wave,  and  ere  they  recovered  Cram  their 
apparent  i«rfff!"""«"»t  our  whole  fine  delivered  an  ^ljnalli>  and 
deadly  ToDe j.  Then  high  above  the  roll  of  musketry  might 
be  heard  the  yell  of  our  men,  as  ttanhing  l»r»ittnng  through 
their  own  smoke,  they  fell  upon  the  ^disorganized  masses  of 
the  enemy,  baroneting,  pistolling,  and  Vntfhis  in  the  wildest 
mmntfr — dyif  »*»g  them  in  the  iiinnrt  confusion  through  their 
camps,  seizing  many  guns,  and  approaching  within  a  few 
yards  of  the  cannon  hastily  Qmmn  forward  to  cover  the  fogi- 

-..-•-;•         --:. 

As  yet  not  a  single  piece  of  oar  artillery  had  been 
brought  into  action,  and  as  the  lands  were  flat  and  open,  their 
guns  opened  19011  us  with  redoubled  fury ;  the  right  of  their 
Hoes  was  still  held  by  powerful  earthworks,  and  oar  right 
f*jttw**\  to  a  Sank  movement.  This  was  attempted  by  the 
enemyr  bat  Ambrose  Hill,  in  withdrawing  from  the  centre, 
had  HiaiyJird  by  oar  rear,  and  lay  in  wait,  under  cover  of  the 
conquered  strip  of  woods,  so  that  when  their  forces  appeared 
on  oar  right,  Mill  rose  up  to  meet  them.  They  were  appar- 
ently astonished,  and  while  engaged  in  re-forming  their  lines. 
and  bringing  fiawaid  fresh  forces,  their  right  was  assailed  with 
great  fury  by  oar  left,  and  at  the  same  time  Jackson's  Tn*in 
force,  assured  of  oar  fietoiy,  was  rapidly  marching  through 
die  cuonliy  to  their  right  and  rear. 

The  ahHPnffft  of  artillery  sorely  perplexed  us,  and  particu- 
larly on  oar  left,  where  the  Federal  cannon  were  sweeping  all 
approach  with  canister  and  grape,  fdajFinjg  north  and  south- 
west, Several  regiments  had  been  thrown  forward  to  capture 
these  jnfcjfi^  bat  hawiu|^  proceeded  some  distance,  wore  ex- 
hausted iiiil  liafllnl  TIJ  linn  i  iminj  rliiiiRJHfc  position  and  pad. 
uafly  uliiiaft  Occasionally  rising  to  their  feet,  oar  thinned 
ana  bleeding  regnnents  staggered  afavaML  a  short  Astance 
ferther,  and  avflenng  severely,  again  fell  on  their  fines,  and 
jnrikfd  off  scores  of  eannonierB,  completely  Trimi*i>ai»g  several 
gons.  When  charged  by  cavalry,  o«r  men,  witboot  forming 
square,  dosed  vp  their  broken  files,  and  received  the  enemy 


JEDKRAL  ABTILLZRY. 

with  such  unerring  yrr\  that  they  never  essayed  to  gallop  down 
upon  us  again.  Their  infantry  next  appeared,  but,  without 
waiting  for  them,  OUT  men  rushed  forward  and  fired,  which 
caused  them  to  retreat  in  unmanageable  confusioiL  Again 
and  again  their  artillery  opened  fire,  and  H  was  evident  they 
were  gradually  preparing  to  retreat  Suddenly  their  move- 
ments were  accelerated.  A  wild  shout  arose  to  the  rear  !  —  on 
came  the  Texan  Brigade,  at  a  run,  the  officers  in  front,  charg- 
ing among  their  redoubts  and  guns;  soon  their  right  was 
broken,  and  while  desperately  engaged  against  great  odds,  the 
whole  line  closed  up,  and  a  hand-to-hand  conflict  ensued  at  all 
points  !  Clouds  of  dust,  woods  smoking  on  every  hand,  long 
lines  of  musketry  fire,  the  deafening  roar  of  ^artillery,  and 
piercing  yells,  arose  on  every  hand,  while  the  dark,  dense 
mass  of  the  enemy  slowly  retired  through  their  camps,  across 
the  creek  and  through  the  woods  in  the  north-eastern  corner 
of  the  field;  the  bursting  of  caissons,  and  the  explosion  of 
ammunition  wagons,  lighting  up  the  scene  on  every  hand. 

But  while  Whiting,  Hood,*  Archer.f  Pryor,  WQcox,  Feath- 
erstone,  Ambrose  Hill,  and  others,  were  hurling  their  com- 
mands at  the  stubborn  enemy,  and  rapidly  capturing  guns, 
munitions,  and  prisoners  at  every  turn,  the  distant  roar  of 
cannon  several  miles  away  to  our  front,  breaks  upon  the 
ear.  News  is  soon  brought  that  Jackson  in  person  is  break- 
ing the  enemy's  line  of  retreat  towards  their  fortified  camps 
on  the  north  bank  of  the  Chickahominy,  and  that  he  has  al- 
ready captured  several  thousand  prisoners,  including  cannon, 
wagons,  and  officers  of  all  ranks. 

*  General  John  R.  Hood  is  from  Tennessee,  and  was  for  sone  time  in  the  oM 
araj,  bat  resigned,  and  followed  Out  legal  profession  in  his  natrre  Slate.  When 
fantgitw  **rr*m~~*A  k*  »«t  among  the  fist  to  take  the  fteld,  and  TO  apfainftei 
Colonel  of  the  FOOT*  TfcnabAutry,  and  svfceeqnentij  placed  meonnBand  of  tbe 
Texin  Brip*de,  which  coasted  of  the  Fmt,  Fowth,  »d  Fifth  Texas,  Efehteenth 
Georgb,  aiid  Hampton's  Legion.  He  led  the  brigade  on  foot  in,  the  &moas  charge 
of  the  batteries,  and  rendered  ha  ntnw  forever  mnms.  He  is  a  salenfid-lookiur, 
dfeoifiedmanof  abovtfoctr-fiTe  yean,  pogtastag  a  metodfami  and  powerfd  Tofce, 
and  has  the  look  of  a  lianfcaag  oatcer,  and  is  moth  beloved.  He  now  ranks  as 


f  Brigadier-General  Jaine*  J.  An&er  was  appointed  by  the  United  Skates 
tain  of  Volonteen,  April  ninth,  1847,  and  these  being  disbanded,  was  promoted 
,  Maria  third,  185i    He  is  from  Marrlaad,  a  good  oftk«r 

.  r  ~          ;  i  '. 


342  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

Thus  at  eight  P.M.,  Friday,  June  twenty-seventh,  the  Battle 
of  Gaines's  Mill  was  over,  and  the  victory  was  ours ! 

Couriers  and  generals  and  regiments  moving  to  and  fro,  told 
that  the  enemy  were  to  be  hard  pushed,  and  in  anticipation  of 
fresh  hostilities  on  the  morrow,  nothing  was  to  be  left  undone 
which  might  annihilate  the  right  wing  and  centre,  which  had 
been  opposed  to  us.  It  was  obvious,  indeed,  from  the  roar  of 
musketry  to  our  front,  and  southward  across  the  creek,  that  we 
were  driving  the  enemy  closely  towards  their  fortified  hills  and 
camps  on  the  banks  of  the  Chickahominy,  yet  McClellan  might 
even  make  a  second  attempt  to  maintain  possession  of  the 
north  bank,  under  cover  of  ^his  numerous  fortifications,  which 
were  still  untouched.  These  could  be  seen,  not  more  than  a 
mile  distant,  with  camp-fires  burning  ;  while  rockets  ascending 
in  the  star-lit  sky,  were  communicating  with  Heintzelman  and 
the  left  wing  before  Richmond  on  the  south  bank. 

The  field  was  rich  in  booty.  I  myself  counted  fifteen  mag- 
nificent brass  and  bronze  field-pieces,  pointed  south-west  and 
north-west,  with  caissons  and  horses  and  dozens  of  cannoniers, 
exactly  as  they  were  left  by  the  vanquished  owners.  Camps, 
clothing,  thousands  of  prisoners,  and  immense  quantities  of 
small  arms,  banners,  drums,  and  other  appurtenances  of  war, 
were  gathered  in  a  few  hours,  while  most  of  the  troops  lay  fast 
asleep  where  they  had  halted,  many  using  a  dead  Federal  for  a 
pillow !  The  destruction  was  awful ;  and  if  many  guns  fell  in- 
to our  hands,  heaps  of  blue-jackets  round  them  told  that  they 
had  been  heroically  defended.  Many  horses  were  shot ;  and 
the  enemy,  finding  themselves  unable  to  carry  off  the  pieces, 
had  deliberately  cut  the  throats  of  the  uninjured  animals  to 
prevent  them  falling  into  our  hands.  In  fact,  several  artillery- 
men were  caught  in  this  inhuman  act,  and  bayoneted  upon  the 
spot  The  ground  round  the  cannon  was  dyed  purple.  Judg- 
ing from  the  placid  countenances  of  many,  I  thought  they  were 
only  sleeping ;  but  on  closer  inspection  invariably  discovered  a 
small  hole  in  the  side  of  the  head,  made  by  the  unerring  bullet 
of  our  sharpshooters ! 

Two  old  farm-houses — one  in  the  north-eastern  and  another 
in  the  north-western  quarter — had  been  converted  into  field- 
hospitals,  and  when  I  passed,  the  large  yards  were  covered  with 
Yankees,  many  of  their  own  surgeons  attending  them.  Our 


DEATH   OF   MAJOR   WHEAT.  348 

loss  seemed  to  be  in  wounded,  but  theirs  in  dead !  Though 
we  had  much  the  worse  position,  and  no  cannon  to  assist,  the 
numbers  of  their  dead,  particularly  in  the  woods,  surpassed  all 
I  could  have  believed.  The  timber  was  literally  crowded  with 
blue-jackets,  and  regiments  which  had  won  those  positions 
could  scarcely  find  sufficient  ground  on'  which  to'  bivouac, 
without  trampling  upon  the  poor  creatures  strewn  in  all  direc- 
tions. The  groans  of  the  wounded  were  heartrending,  yet  our 
men  lit  fires,  and  cooked  their  suppers  as  unconcerned  as  if 
naught  had  happened,  while  not  ten  paces  from  them  they 
could  not  step  without  treading  upon  some  dead  or  wound- 
ed enemy.  Generals,  colonels,  and  regiments  were  scattered 
through  the  timber,  all  engaged  in  boiling  water  or  cooking 
bacon  on  pronged  sticks,  while  ambulances  and  carnages  were 
slowly  moving  to  and  fro  all  night,  carrying  off  the  wounded 
and  bumping  against  some  inanimate  carcass  in  the  darkness. 
"  Hospital-corps,"  litter-bearers,  and  others,  were  everywhere 
busy,  while  now  and  then  a  sufferer  would  pass  in  a  blood- 
stained blanket,  carried  by  six  companions  in  solemn  proces- 
sion, a  seventh  leading  the  way  through  the  woods  with  burn- 
ing brands  or  lanterns.  Ammunition  wagons  were  busily 
engaged  in  distributing  cartridge  for  the  morrow,  while  artil- 
lerymen were  cleaning  the  captured  guns,  and  the  movements 
of  couriers  delivering  orders,  the  tramp  of  troops  and  the  rumble 
of  artillery,  bespoke  active  operations  in  the  morning.  Spades 
were  everywhere  in  request  for  interring  the  dead;  comrades, 
pipe  in  mouth,  consigned  their  relations  to  the  humble  grave 
without  tears  or  words,  while  a  few,  more  thoughtful,  lingered 
by  the  camp-fires  and  talked  of  the  incidents  of  battle. 

Among  the  many  who  perished  on  this  occasion,  none  was 
more  regretted  than  Major  Eobert  Wheat,  who  had  gloriously 
fallen  while  charging  at  the  head  of  his  Louisiana  Battalion. 
All  regretted  the  death  of  this  valiant  soldier,  and  many  a  stout 
heart  was  wrung  with  anguish  when  it  was  whispered :  "  Poor 
Wheat  is  gone!"  "Bury  me  on  the  battle-field,  boys !"  said 
he,  expiring  beneath  a  majestic  oak,  surrounded  by  his  weather- 
beaten  Spartan  heroes — "the  field  is  ours,  as  usual,  my  boys — 
bury  me  on  the  battle-field  1;>  He  was  interred  beneath  the 
lonely,  wide-spreading  oak,  where  he  had  fallen,  and  as  his 
face  in  death  was  lit  by  torches,  generals  and  privates  flock- 


344  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

/ 

ed  to  see  the  manly  form  of  one  whose  voice  and  sabre  had  led 
in  so  many  dangerous  encounters,  and  who  died  without  thanks' 
from  those  who  should  have  delighted  to  acknowledge  his 
merit  by  promotion. 

Colonels  gone ;  captains,  lieutenants,  and  scores  of  privates 
gone ;  captains  commanding  regiments,  and  sergeants  com- 
panies !  Such  was  the  state  of  things  at  Gaines's-  Mills,  but  none 
had  faltered.  Files  were  ploughed  down  by  grape-shot  and 
shell,  yet  brigadiers  and  colonels  on.  foot  in  front  waved  their 
caps  and  swords — the  only  word  heard  above  the  din  of  battle 
was  "  Forward !"  and  amid  hailstorms  of  lead  the  men  "  closed 
up  "  without  a  word,  and  annihilated  the  enemy's  ranks  with 
murderous  volleys  at  short  distances,  closing  with  the  foe,  and 
scattering  them  in  all  directions.  Regiments  thus  engaged 
suffered  severely  as  a  matter  of  course,  yet  it  was  impossible  to 
estimate  our  loss  at  more  than  a  third  or  fourth  that  of  the 
enemy. 

While  roaming  over  the  field,  gazing  on  the  heaps  of  slain,  I 
counted  not  less  than  ten  Federal  standard-bearers  who  had 
been  laid  in  a  small  ditch  in  one  of  their  camps.  I  knew  them 
to  be  such  by  the  leathern  belts  used  for  carrying  the  colors, 
and  could  not  but  remark  that  several  were  shot  in  the  head 
and  body  by  numerous  balls,  as  if  an  entire  volley  had  been 
fired  at  them.  They  were  fine,  well-developed,  muscular  fel- 
lows, and  lay  in  death  with  closed  hands  as  if  the  colors  had 
been  torn  from  them.  The  branch-covered  huts  scattered  all 
round  were  filled  with  dead,  and  our  men  were  quietly  reposing 
in  the  rudely-made  bunks,  while  the  proprietors,  doubtless,  in 
many  cases,  were  stretched  in  death  but  a  few  feet  distant. 

As  soon  as  the  camps  had  fallen  into  our  hands,  and  the  en- 
emy had  retreated,  our  men  laid  violent  hands  on  whatever 
food  or  clothing  they  discovered.  They  were  so  thoughtless  in 
this  respect  that  I  saw  many  of  them  attired  in  suits  of  Yankee 
clothing,  so  that  it  was  oftentimes  difficult  to  distinguish  between 
them  and  our  prisoners.  I  could  not  blame  the  poor  fellows  for 
securing  clothing  of  some  kind ;  the  greater  number  of  them 
were  ragged  and  dirty,  and  wearing-apparel  could  not  be  ob- 
tained at  any  price  in  Eichmond.  It  was  grotesque  to  see  a 
tall,  well-developed  Southerner  attired  in  clothes  much  too 


AFTER   THE    BATTLE.  345 

small,  but  the  men  themselves  were  delighted  with  the  change, 
and  strutted  about  with  gold-corded  shoulder-straps  and  striped 
pantaloons,  often  not  sufficiently  long  to  cover  the  ankle.  I 
forebore  making  unpleasant  remarks  about  the  danger  of  wear- 
ing such  clothes:  several  of  our  men  were  shot  in  consequence ; 
venturing  beyond  the  lines,  they  were  mistaken  for  enemies, 
and  before  explanations  could  be  offered,  were  laid  lifeless. 


CHAPTER  XXXV.  , 

Retrospect — Additional  Particulars  from  one  of  Stuart's  Cavalry — Capture  of  Depots 
and  Stores  during  the  Action — Public  Feeling  at  Richmond — McClellan  begins 
his  Retreat  to  the  James  River — Operations  on  the  South  Bank  of  the  Chicka- 
hominy — Commencement  of  the  Pursuit  —  The  Railway  Merrimac  —  Difficult 
Nature  of  the  Country. 

AT  break  of  day  I  was  sent  to  the  capital,  and  had  to  pass 
over  the  greater  part  of  the  battle-field.  Turning  with  a  sick- 
ening sensation  from  the  sight  of  bloodshed  and  the  hundreds 
of  inanimate  bodies  which  lay  on  every  hand,  I  galloped  off  to- 
wards Gaines's  House,  and  felt  much  relieved  with  the  refresh- 
ing air.  The  lofty  Federal  camp  beyond  the  creek,  on  the  edge 
of  the  Chickahominy,  in  the  south-eastern  quarter  of  the  field, 
was  still  standing,  and  so  many  tents  crowned  the  hill  that  it 
seemed  as  if  it  were  still  occupied ;  but  this  fact  was  being  as- 
certained by  six  pieces  of  our  artillery,  which  were  rapidly 
shelling  it,  without  eliciting  a  reply.  Leaving  the  field,  and 
plunging  into  the  woods,  I  rode  at  a  rapid  rate  towards  Hogan's 
House,  overtaking  and  meeting  ambulances,  private  carriages, 
omnibuses,  and  other  vehicles,  all  engaged  in  errands  of  mercy. 
I  could  have  turned  to  the  left  and  crossed  the  Chickahominy 
near  Hogan's  House,  which  would  have  taken  me  to  Magruder's 
quarters  at  Garnett's  Farm,  seven  miles  from  Richmond ;  but 
as  my  orders  led  me  on  the  north  bank  to  Mechanicsville,  and 
thence  to  town,  I  had  excellent  opportunities  for  viewing  the 
route  taken  by  our  army. 

The  quarters  of  General  Sykes  had  been  in  a  house  near 
Hogan's,  and  among  other  things,  a  friend  handed  me  several 
Northern  illustrated  papers  brimful  of  "Federal  victories"  ex- 
travagantly sketched.  The  large  open  fields  around  were  the 
camping  and  drill  grounds  of  Porter's  large  force  of  "  regular  " 
infantry  and  artillery.  The  retreat  had  been  conducted  with 
much  order,  and  comparatively  few  Stores  fell  into  our  hands; 


VIEW    OF   THE    BATTLE-FIELD.  347 

the  enemy  having  burned  them  beforehand,  together  with  many 
wagons,  the  ashes  of  which  were  sjill  smoking.  Passing  on  to- 
wards Beaver  Dam  Creek,  deserted  encampments  were  visible 
in  the  woods  on  either  side  of  the  road,  among  which  I  strolled 
for  some  time,  observing  that  they  contained  many  valuable 
medicines,  which,  together  with  other  useful  things,  were  under 
guard. 

Beaver  Dam  Creek  and  Ellison's  Mills  were  totally  deserted, 
and  except  for  a  few  wounded  men  limping  about,  a  stranger 
would  not  have  recognized  these  places  as  the  scenes  of  the  terri- 
ble struggle  in  the  twilight  of  Friday  morning.  The  hot  sun  pre- 
sently made  us  aware  that  there  were  bodies  in  the  woods  not  yet 
buried,  and,  although  parties  were  at  work  here  and  there,  it  was 
several  days  ere  all  the  putrefying  matter  was  covered.  The 
neighboring  houses  were  badly  shattered  by  shot  and  shell,  and 
in  many  instances  nothing  remained  but  a  solitary  and  shaky 
chimney  of  brickwork.  Mechanicsville  was  converted  into  one 
vast  hospital ;  many  citizens,  old  and  young,  satisfied  their  cu- 
riosity by  lounging  about  the  breastworks,  or  idly  gazing  on 
the  crowds  of  prisoners  passing  on  their  way  to  Eichmond.  As 
I  trotted  over  the  wooden  bridge  which  had  been  held  by  my 
old  regiment,  imagination  began  to  picture  the  straits  to  which 
McClellan  had  been  reduced  by  the  generalship  of  that  modest  and 
unassuming  professor  of  the  Christian  religion — Eobert  E.  Lee ! 
Maintaining  his  front  unbroken,  and  parallel  with  theirs  on 
the  Chickahominy  until  Jackson  should  appear  at  Hanover 
Court-House,  threatening  their  right  and  rear,  Lee  rapidly 
masses  his  troops  on  our  left  wing.  Branch  at  the  same  time 
crosses  the  stream  at  Brook  Church  Bridge,  drives  the  foe  past 
Meadow  Bridge,  where  Ambrose  Hill  instantly  crosses,  joins 
forces  and  uncovers  the  front  of  Mechanicsville  Bridge,  where 
Longstreet  and  D.  H.  Hill  cross  and  join  forces.  Marching  by 
three  routes,  Mechanicsville,  Ellison's  Mills,  and  Beaver  Dam 
Creek  successively  fall,  and  the  enemy  is  vigorously  pushed  to 
Gaines's  Mills,  where  Jackson  joins  us  and  completely  routs  tbeir 
entire  right  wing,  and  pierces  their  centre  from  the  rear  !  Driv- 
en across  the  river,  McClellan's  right  and  right  centre  are  dou- 
bled up  in  the  low  swampy  lands,  behind  his  left  centre  and 
left.  But  now  that  he  has  his  whole  force  on  the  south  bank, 


348  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH.  • 

and  lias  lost  all  communication  with  his  depots  on  the  York 
Eiver,  will  he,  in  desperation,  taking  advantage  of  the  presence 
of  our  heavy  forces  on  the  north  bank,  concentrate  and  hurl  his 
entire  strength  against  our  right,  and  endeavor  to  seize  Richmond 
before  we  can  recross  to  repel  the  attack  ?  This  would  be  a  bold 
stroke,  but  it  would  take  more  time  to  prepare  for  such  a  move- 
ment than  Lee  will  grant,  and  even  if  he  did  essay  such  a  feat, 
our  defences  and  force  are  sufficient  to  hold  him  in  check  until 
our  left  could  cross  and  take  him  in  the  rear.  He  is  thoroughly 
aware  of  our  style  of  fighting  by  this  time,  and  would  not  haz- 
ard his  existence  in  such  an  enterprise,  and  will  undoubtedly 
retreat  towards  the  James  River. 

Such  was  the  current  of  my  thoughts  when  the  clattering  of 
hoofs  behind  induced  me  to  turn,  and  I  saw  it  was  an  old  friend 
attached  to  Stuart's  cavalry,  who  had  participated  in  all  the 
adventures  of  his  dashing  chief.  His  news  interested  me. 

As  soon  as  Ambrose  Hill  had  taken  Mechanics ville,  and 
Jackson's  advance  through  the  country  had  cut  off  the  Federal 
communication  with  their  depots  on  the  Pamunkey  and  the 
head  of  York  River,  Stuart  had  been  ordered  to  advance  rapidly 
and  secure  whatever  was  possible  ere  the  enemy  had  time  to 
destroy  it.  On  Thursday,  therefore,  he  moved  down  the 
Branch  turnpike,  and  proceeded  towards  the  Pamunkey,  where 
his  presence  was  least  expected  or  desirable,  as  large  quantities 
of  all  kinds  of  stores  were  piled  ready  for  burning.  As  Porter 
was  not  then  defeated,  the  order  had  not  arrived  for  their  de- 
struction, so.  that  Stuart  captured  scores  of  horses,  wagons,  am- 
bulances, and  immense  supplies  of  every  kind,  besides  several 
hundred  prisoners.  My  informant,  who  was  there,  expressed 
great  surprise  at  the*1  extensive  depots  captured,  and  stated  that 
vast  quantities  of  ammunition,  many  weapons,  and  several 
cannon  fell  into  our  hands.  Having  properly  secured  all  these, 
invaluables,  Stuart  destroyed  half  a  dozen  schooners,  having 
first  seized  the  cargoes;  several  others  slipped  cables  and 
escaped.  Proceeding  through  the  country,  every  Federal  es- 
tablishment was  visited,  large  ok  small,  and  every  thing  of 
value  appropriated.  At  the  head  of  York  River  much  United 
States  property  was  taken,  and  wagon-loads  destroyed  for 
want  of  transportation ;  but  among  the  most  singular  discov- 
eries made,  was  that  of  great  quantities  of  dry  goods  and  gro- 


EICHMPXD  AFTER  THE   BATTLE.  349 

ceries,  held  by  private  individuals,  who  were  waiting  for 
McClellan's  triumphal  entry  into  Kichmond  to  transport  their 
stocks,  and  philanthropically  open  business  to  feed  the  hungry 
and  clothe  the  naked  rebels !  It  was  difficult  to  convince  the 
owners  of  such  valuables  that  McClellan  was  beaten,  for  they 
laughed  at  such  an  idea  and  thought  us  all  mad ;  but  when 
marched  to  town,  and  accommodated  with  lodgings  in.  our  to- 
bacco-warehouses, in  company  with  hundreds  of  men  in  uni- 
form, their  astonishment  was  amazing.  Yet  such  was  the  im- 
plicit reliance  of  the  North  in  McClellan's  promises  of  "  push- 
ing us  to  the  wall,"  possessing  Eichmond  "in  six  days,"  and 
daily  editions  of  "  victories,"  etc.,  printed  in  the  Herald,  Times 
and  Tribune,  that  many  large  houses  sent  confidential  agents 
to  Eichmond  to  effect  sales  a  few  days  before  the  time  assigned 
for  his  entry  into  our  capital,  so  that  they  might  secure  the 
cream  of  the  market  in  sales  or  barter.  That  such  was  really 
the  case,  is  proved  by  the  fact  that  several  of  these  agents 
made  their  way  from  Washington  via  Gordonsville  and  Lynch- 
burgh,  and  were  nearly  choked  with  vexation  when  arrested 
in  Eichmond,  and  compelled  to  see  hundreds  of  Federal  pris- 
oners pass  the  windows  of  rooms  in  which  they  and  other 
"  commercial  travellers  "  were  confined ! 

Expecting  to  hear  our  guns  open  every  moment,  I  felt  un- 
easy in  town,  and  was  desirous  of  getting  out  to  camp  again  as 
soon  as  possible.  The  people  of  Eichmond,  however,  seemed 
perfectly  easy  in  their  minds,  and  carried  on  their  usual  avoca- 
tions with  the  utmost  unconcern.  Many  stores  in  the  principal 
streets  were  converted  into  comfortable  hospitals,  while  crowds 
stood  round  the  doors  reading  the  list  of  inmates,  parents  hoping 
to  find  the  names  of  their  sons,  and  other  relatives  or  friends 
anxious  to  be  informed  of  the  fate  of  those  dear  to  them. 
These  lists  were  of  great  service,  for  the  sufferers  were  depos- 
ited in  whichever  infirmary  was  nearest,  there  being  no  such 
thing  as  State  or  regimental  hospitals.  Business  of  all  kinds 
was  brisk ;  wagons,  carts,  carnages,  and  ambulances  were  pass- 
ing and  repassing  in  long  Imea  through  every  thoroughfare, 
while  grey -haired  gentlemen  "  buttoned-holed  "  each  other  at 
street-corners,  or  gathered  round  any  horseman  who  seemed  to 
have  lately  arrived  from  the  field.  Cavalry-men  galloping  to- 
wards the  War  Office  always-  awakened  interest,  and  I  saw 


350  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE  SOUTH. 

several  couriers  encircled  by  a  crowd  of  idle  questioners,  and 
so  pestered  with  inquiries  that  they  could  not  dismount  to 
breakfast  for  a  full  half-hour.  Squads  of  prisoners,  under 
mounted  escort,  were  passing  to  and  fro ;  in  front  of  tobacco- 
warehouses,  just  opened  for  their  reception,  long  lines  of  pris- 
oners stood  in  single  file,  having  their  names  registered  before 
en-try,  while  the  rooms  and  windows  of  all  the  stories  were 
crowded  with  men  from  every  branch  of  the  service. 

Hitching  my  horse  to  a  lamp-post,  I  went  into  a  restaurant 
and  called  for  a  few  eggs  and  a  small  steak ;  for  which,  to- 
gether with  a  cup  of  warm  "rye"  coffee,  I  was  charged  five 
dollars  only  1  Mounting  again,  I  lit  a  cigar,  cursed  all  extor- 
tioners and  usurers,  and  was  soon  on  my  way  down  the  Nine 
Mile  Eoad,  determining  to  reach  Gaines's  Mills  by  passing  the 
Chickahominy  near  Magruder's  quarters  at  Garnett's  Farm. 
When  I  arrived — about  ten  A.M. — Magruder  was  about  to 
make  an  attack  on  the  enemy's  left  centre,  not  more  than  a 
mile  distant,  and  standing  on  one  of  the  breastworks  I  could 
plainly  see  their  immense  line  of  fortifications,  from  which  they 
kept  up  a  continual  discharge  of  shells.  The  Seventh  and 
Eighth  Georgia  had  been  sent  down  to  attack  this  mammoth 
battery,  which  swept  both  sides  of  the  railroad ;  they  had  driven 
in  the  outposts,  and  under  a  murderous  fire,  jumped  into  the 
battery ;  but  other  places  to  the  rear  opened  upon  them,  ren- 
dering it  impossible  to  stay  there,  so  that  they  were  withdrawn 
with  considerable  loss.  What  Magruder  meant  in  attacking 
this  stronghold  with  such  a  small  force,  unsupported,  none 
could,  imagine.  It  was  no'w  certain  that  the  enemy  were  all 
on  the  south  bank,  and  in  greater  force  at  this  point  (their  left 
centre)  than  anywhere  else ;  hence,  to  make  any  impression  at 
all,  required  heavy  forces.  If  this  was  merely  a  diversion,  the 
thing  is  explained,  but  Magruder  evidently  did  not  look  upon 
it  in  that  light,  for  surrounded  as  he  was  by  his  own  and  Gov- 
ernor Letcher's  staff,  he  rode  about  in  a  great  fume,  swearing 
and  cursing  like  one  half-tipsy.  ^pSTothing  more  was  attempted 
during  Saturday  at  this  important  point,  and,  except  skirmish- 
ing among  the  pickets,  all  was  quiet  along  our  right,  held  by 
McLaws,  Huger,  and  others. 

As  the  day  advanced,  it  became  known  that  McClellan  had 
withdrawn  all  his  forces  from  the  north  bank,  and  that  their 


RETREAT   OF  McCLELLAN".  351 

camps  had  fallen  into  our  hands.  To  prevent  any  attempts  to 
force  our  rightj  Longstreet  and  the  Hills  recrossed  their  divi- 
sions from  Gaine&'s  Mills,  and  began  to  march  to  the  rear  of 
Magruder  and  Huger's  forces,  taking  up  the  line  of  march  on 
the  Charles  City  and  Darbytown  roads  in  the  direction  of 
James  Eiver,  so  as  to  come  up  with  the  enemy  in  that  quarter 
and  bring  on  an  engagement.  Early  on  Sunday  morning  it 
was  ascertained  they  were  in  strong  force  to  our  right,  on  a 
plain  of  pines  at  a  place  called  Frazier's  Farm,  about  eighteen 
miles  from  Kichmond,  (three  miles  from  James  River  and  their 
gunboats,)  occupying  a  line  with  a  six  miles'  front,  in  a  swampy, 
thickly  timbered,  and  irregular  country.  To  ascertain  their 
true  whereabouts,  Lee  sent  the  First  North-Carolina  Cavalry  to 
reconnoitre,  who  plunged  into  their  camps  at  break  of  day,  and 
galloping  to  and  fro  in  all  directions,  lost  many  men.  Early 
on  Sunday  morning,  also,  Mississippi  and  Louisiana  pickets  at 
Magruder's  and  Huger's  front  were  attacked  in  force,  but  in- 
stead of  giving  ground,  drove  the  enemy  down  the  roads  and 
through  the  woods,  into  and  past  their  breastworks,  and  found 
them  to  be  deserted.  Far  from  profiting  by  this  discovery,  and 
commencing  the  pursuit,  these  generals  allowed  the  foe  to  pass 
across  their  front,  instead  of  piercing  his  line  of  retreat  by  ad- 
vancing down  the  Nine  Mile  road,  the  railroad,  and  the  Wil- 
liamsburgh  road,  which  would  have  cut  these  forces  of  the 
enemy  into  so  many  fragments.  Thus,  strong  forces  were 
allowed  to  pass  unmolested  from  the  left  to  the  right  of  the 
enemy,  which  were  halted  at  Frazier's  Farm  and  Malvern  Hill, 
and  caused  much  trouble  and  unnecessary  destruction  of  life 
afterwards. 

On  Sunday  afternoon,  however,  (twelve  hours  after  the  vaca- 
tion of  the  enemy's  breastworks  had  been  announced  by  pick- 
ets,) Magruder  began  to  move  down  the  road  in  pursuit,  and 
met  with  little  resistance.  Long  lines  of  casemated  batteries 
arose  on  every  hand,  all  approach  being  protected  by  rifle-pits, 
felled  timber,  and  other  obstructions,  so  that  it  seemed  McClel- 
lan  had  been  fearful  of  surprise,  and,  instead  of  the  "  on  to 
Richmond  "  movement,  had  prepared  for  a  siege !  Large  sup- 
plies of  ammunition  and  commissary  stores  were  discovered  on 
every  hand,  and  from  the  number  of  overcoats,  knapsacks,  and 


352  BATTLE-FIELDS -OF  THE  SOUTH. 

other  articles  lying  around,  it  was  evident  they  had  "  ske- 
daddled "  in  a  great  hurry.  In  one  place  I  saw  four  tiers  of 
barrels,  fifty  yards  square,  in  a  blaze,  scores  of  barrels  being 
all  strewn  round,  containing  ground  coffee,  sugar,  rice,  molasses, 
salt,  tea,  crackers,  flour,  meal,  etc.,  the  heads  of  the  barrels 
being  broken  and  their  contents  lying  on  the  ground.  A  little 
hut  used  as  a  post-office  and  news-depot  contained  papers, 
letters,  United  States  mail-bags,  account-books,  stationery,  and 
similar  things,  but  everywhere  the  torch  had  been  applied,  so 
that  as  our  troops  advanced  in  line  of  battle  they  marched  over 
red  smouldering  ashes.* 

While  our  troops  were  thus  cautiously  advancing  through  the 
deserted  camps,  a  strange  phenomenon  came  into  sight  on  the 
line  of  railroad  from  Eichmond.  Mr.  Pearce  (Government 
ship-builer)  had  constructed  an  iron-clad  one-gun  battery  on  the 
framework  of  a  freight-truck ;  the  front  and  sides  being  cased 
with  thick  iron  plates,  having  timber  inside  eighteen  inches 
thick,  the  sides  and  front  slanting  towards  the  top,  which  was 
open.  A  thirty-two  pound  rifle  had  its  mouth  through  an  em- 
brasure in  front,  a  well-protected  locomotive  shoving  it  forward, 
the  driver  being  protected  by  a  surrounding  wall  of  cotton- 
bales!  Its  motion  was  slow,  for  the  battery  weighed  some 
sixty  tons,  and  several  shaky  wooden  bridges  had  to  be  crossed. 
Having  arrived  at  a  point  where  the  Nine  Mile  Eoad  crosses 
the  railroad,  General  Griffith,  of  the  Mississippi  Brigade,  was 
speaking  to  the  engineer,  when  the  enemy  fired  a  shell  at  it,  a 
fragment  of  which  struck  Griffith,  and  he  shortly  afterwards 
expired  beneath  a  tree.  The  "Railroad  Merrimac"  instantly 
advanced,  and  was  soon  engaged  in  dispersing  the  flying  enemy, 
its  large  shells  exploding  right  and  left  in  the  woods  with  loud 
detonations. 

Large  columns  of  white  sulphurous  smoke  now  rose  up  into 
the  sky,  their  beautiful  spiral  forms  and  broad-capped  tops  look- 
ing like  mammoth  pillars  of  ivory  rising  from  the  dark  a"nd 
distant  line  of  timber.  The  enemy  were  destroying  ammuni- 
tion ;  but  to  prevent  further  waste  of  such  valuables,  the  "Merri- 
mac" ran  along  towards*"  Savage  Station,"  and  routed  several 

*  Major  Bloomfield,  of  Magruder's  staff,  fotmd  an  immense  Federal  flag  in  these 
camps,  which  McClellan  had  received  from  New  England  ladies,  to  whom  he  pro- 
mised that  many  days  should  not  elapse  ere  it  floated  in  triumph  over  the  captured 
capital  at  Richmond ! 


SKIRMISH  AT  SAVAGE  STATION.  353 

batteries  drawn  up  to  oppose  its  progress.  The  destruction 
caused  by  this  single  gun  was  very  great ;  for,  having  arrived 
within  full  view  of  the  enemy's  retreat,  their  long  lines  of 
wagons  and  glitter  of  bayonets  presented  conspicuous  marks 
for  the  gunners,  who  fired  constantly  on  every  side,  inflicting 
much  loss. 

When  our  infantry  arrived  at  "  Savage  Station,"  we  found 
the  enemy's  rear-guard  drawn  up  to  receive  us,  consisting  of 
Casey's  and  Sickles's  men.  Our  troops  hailed  their  presence 
with  loud  cheers,  and  commenced  the  attack  with  great  fury, 
but  the  enemy  seemed  disinclined  to  prolong  the  contest  to  any 
length,  so  decamped  in  great  haste,  leaving  much  baggage  and 
valuables  behind,  including  a  whole  service  of  silver  with  the 
crest  and  name  of  "Dan  Sickles"  engraved  thereon.  Passing 
over  the  disputed  ground,  our  men  continued  the  pursuit  until 
far  in  the  night,  when  they  changed  their  route  towards  Frazier's 
Farm,  on  the  south,  while  Huger  continued  to  advance  towards 
it  from  the  north  side. 

When  the  enemy  had  left  their  camps  on  the  north  side, 
however,  and  the  Hills,  together  with  Longstreet,  had  recrossed 
to  reenforce  our  right,  Jackson  was  left  to  pursue  them  on  to 
the  south  side,  and  if  possible  get  in  their  rear,  so  as  to  place 
them  between  two  fires.  He  endeavored  to  cross,  but  the  ene- 
my held  the  bridge  with  much  gallantry.  Jackson,  however, 
occupied  their  attention  with  a  vigorous  cannonade,  while  he 
constructed  bridges  higher  up  stream,  and  thus  crossed  his  force 
within  a  few  hours,  on  Sunday  afternoon.  Thus  Jackson  was 
advancing  towards  the  enemy's  right  flank;  Huger  in  their 
rear ;  Longstreet,  Magruder,  and  the  Hills  on  their  left  flank, 
while  General  Holmes  was  hastily  endeavoring  to  make  a  long 
circuit  round  the  latter,  and  cut  off  McClellan  from  James 
River.  The  whole  country  occupied  and  traversed  by  these 
moving  armies  was  a  mixture  of  swamp  and  sand-hills,  broken 
up  into  numerous  brooks,  intersected  by  few  roads,  and  those 
of  such  a  wretched  description  that  four  men  could  not  pass 
abreast  in  many  places ;  and  being  thickly  timbered,  our  ad- 
vance was  slow  and  tedious — artillery  and  wagons  being  far  to 
the  rear. 

Where  the  enemy  had  secreted  themselves  in  this  densely 
23 


354  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

timbered  and  swampy  country,  none  could  tell ;  whether  they 
had  sought  any  of  the  James  Kiver  landings,  or  pushed  for  the 
mouth  of  the  Chickahominy,  was  a  matter  of  speculation,  for 
there  were  no  indications  of  their  whereabouts  when  we  re- 
sumed the  pursuit  on  Monday  morning,  (June  thirtieth.)  It 
reminded  me  of  hunting  a  fox  among  furze-bushes ;  but  the 
misery  of  it  was,  all  were  obliged  to  advance  slowly,  for 
McClellan  was  still  superior  to  us  in  force,  and  it  was  possible 
that  over-haste  might  bring  us  suddenly  upon  him,  drawn  up 
in  battle  array,  before  we  could  arrange  our  scattered  forces 
for  defence.*  Such  tedious,  slow,  fatiguing  marching  I  never 

*  A  leading  journal  remarked  on  this  subject :  "Those  who  have  not  understood 
the  delay  in  bringing  the  retreating  McClellan  to  decisive  battle,  would  need  no 
further  explanation  than  a  simple  view  of  the  scene  of  operations.  The  country 
is  level  and  covered  with  almost  unbroken  forests,  filled  with  dense  undergrowth, 
and  interspersed  with  swamps.  There  are  but  few  places  where  one  can  see  a  hun- 
dred yards  around  him.  McClellan  had  therefore  admirable  opportunities  for  con- 
cealment. It  must  be  borne  in  mind,  also,  that  his  army  is  very  strong  and  well 
appointed ;  and  under  the  pressure  now  upon  them,  his  men  are  exhibiting  more 
than  their  ordinary  courage.  McClellan  is  doubtless  fighting  with  his  best  troops 
and  bravest  generals,  and  is  exerting  the  utmost  energy,  under  the  most  powerful 
of  motives.  Under  these  circumstances  it  is  necessary  to  be  very  circumspect,  lest 
our  pursuit  leads  us  into  a  murderous  ambuscade,  for  which  such  a  country  affords 
many  opportunities.  We  have  to  hunt  McClellan  on  each  morning,  after  his  night's 
retreats,  as  men  hunt  tigers  hi  their  lair  and  the  jungle. 

"  Hence  it  is,  that  for  several  days  past,  the  morning  has  been  consumed  in  re- 
connoitring after  the  fugitive  McClellan,  and  finding  out  his  new  position ;  and  the 
battle  'that  should  ensue  has  been  delayed  till  evening.  Morning  returns  to  find 
McClellan  gone  again,  when  a  fresh  hunt  takes  place. 

"  But  the  danger  that  McClellan  may  receive  such  supports  as  might  extricate 
him  from  his  present  dilemma,  creates  a  great  desire  to  see  him  at  once  brought  to 
extremity.  Already  there  are  rumors  that  reenforcements  have  arrived  in  James 
River.  We  doubt  much,  however,  whether  effectual  help  can  be  brought  in  time 
to  save  him.  Our  latest  Northern  papers  (June  twenty-seventh)  state  that  Fre- 
mont's, McDowell's,  and  Banks' s  command  are  to  be  consolidated  under  General 
Pope,  and  sent  to  reenforce  McClellan.  A  division  of  McDowell's  troops  under 
General  McCall  is  stated,  on  the  same  authority,  to  have  already  joined  McClellan 
at  that  date ;  and  this  was  doubtless  true,  for  McCall  has  arrived. 

"  Our  generals  fully  share  the  universal  desire  to  put  final  victory  beyond  the 
reach  of  contingency,  by  securing  it  at  once,  and  have  put  forth  their  utmost  dili- 
gence to  accomplish  this  result.  Those  who  murmur  at  the  delay  do  but  murmur 
at  the  wilderness  of  the  Chickahominy  and  its  bogs  and  swamps.  If  the  deferring 
of  our  hopes  shall,  however,  result  in  the  accomplishment  of  our  grand  object  by 
the  simple  blockade  of  McClellan,  we  shall  have  occasion  to  rejoice  that  it  has  oc- 
curred. Every  additional  day  multiplies  the  terror  of  McClellan's  condition,  and 
puts  him  more  and  more  in  our  power." 


DIFFICULTIES  OF  THE  PURSUIT.  355 

before  witnessed,  over  flints  and  rocks  or  heavy  sand:  our 
columns  creeping  along  through  the  timber,  now  halting,  then 
advancing,  and  halting  again — first  forming  line  of  battle,  and 
then  resuming  the  march,  under  a  scorching  sun,  along  dusty 
roads,  with  clouds  of  sand  getting  into  the  eyes  and  mouths  of 
the  men,  who  were  not  allowed  to  leave  the  ranks  even  to  get 
a  canteen  of  water.  Sometimes  couriers  dashed  past  to  the 
rear,  saying,  "We've  found  'em!" — advanced  artillery  would 
throw  a  few  shell ;  a  short  silence ;  and  the  slow,  snail-like  mo- 
tion of  our  columns  would  recommence. 

It  was  said  the  enemy  were  in  force  at  Frazier's  farm — Hu- 
ger  aproached  in  the  rear  of  this  place,  and  we  in  front,  so 
that  if  the  fox  was  found,  dispositions  seemed  perfected  for 
running  him  down.  Fortune,  however,  is  variable,  and  we 
had  wearily  marched  far  towards  evening,  ere  we  received  any 
tidings  of  the  ubiquitous  McClellan,  retreating  through  the 
forests  by  narrow  by-paths.  It  was  now  generally  considered 
he  had  made  good  his  escape,  and  that  all  our  toil  was  in  vain ; 
for  even  had  we  overtaken  him,  many  thought  it  a  dangerous 
undertaking  to  attack  his  masses  with  one  or  two  exhausted 
divisions,  as  it  was  certain  he  would  open  the  fight  with  his 
extreme  left — troops  that  had  marched  but  little  and  were  en- 
tirely fresh,  under  the  immediate  command  of  Heintzelman  and 
McCall. 


CHAPTER  XXXYI. 

Pursuit  of  McClellan  continued — Battle  of  Frazier's  Farm,  June  thirtieth — Terrific 
Fighting — Total  Rout  of  the  Enemy — Capture  of  Major-General  McCall — Pre- 
carious Position  of  General  Hill — His  Genius  and  Daring — Gossip  with  a  Contra- 
band. 

IT  was  now  about  half-past,  five  P.M.,  and  the  sun  was  fast 
sinking  behind  the  woods,  when  Ambrose  Hill's  advance  col- 
umn halted ;  cannonading  was  plainly  heard  on  our  left,  in 
front,  from  the  supposed  route  of 'Huger,  and  couriers  brought 
word  that  the  Federals  were  disputing  his  passage  across  a 
creek.  To  our  front  the  roads  ascended,  with  a  few  fields  on 
either  hand,  and  among  the  timber  on  the  high  ground  I  saw 
small  spiral  columns  of  light-blue  smoke  ascending,  which  as- 
sured us  that  troops  of  some  kind  were  there.  Shortly  after 
wards  a  few  musket-shots  were  heard  in  that  direction,  and 
some  of  the  cavalry  came  galloping  down  towards  us  with  the 
news  that  the  enemy  occupied  the  open  high  lands  constituting 
"  Frazier's  Farm,"  five  miles  north-east  of  Darbytown,  on  the 
Newmarket  road.  The  place  was  represented  as  good  for  de- 
fence ;  the  woods  right  and  left  of  it  swarmed  with  skirmishers ; 
the  ascending  grade  of  the  road  was  swept  by  cannon,  while 
all  attempts  to  flank  their  left  would  meet  with  broadsides  from 
the  gunboats  at  Curl's  Neck,  in  the  James  River,  two  and  a 
half  miles  distant. 

Nothing  daunted,  Hill  sent  word  to  the  rear  for  our  artillery 
to  hurry  forward,  and  immediately  commenced  his  advance. 
Throwing  our  regiments  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  road,  in 
skirmishing  order,  a  lively  fire  soon  ensued,  the  enemy  grad- 
ually giving  ground  before  us.  This  system  was  pursued  by 
them  until  we  had  traversed  half  a  mile,  when  we  came  upon 
their  first  line  of  infantry,  and  fighting  commenced  in  earnest. 
Sixteen  guns  now  began  to  belch  forth  shell,  canister,  and 
grape  upon  us  with  a  stunning  roar,  and  the  only  battery  we 


THE   ENEMY   DISCOVERED.  857 

had  upon  the  ground  could  not  be  brought  into  position  to 
reply.  Yet  never  wavering  or  halting,  our  various  regiments 
pressed  forward  under  an  incessant  storm  of  lead.  To  add  to 
our  horrors,  the  gunboats  of  the  enemy  now  threw  immense 
shells  at  us,  which  tore  off  the  tops  of  the  trees,  and  so  entangled 
our  feet  with  the  debris  that  it  was  like  advancing  over  felled 
timber.  Such  monster  shells  I  never  saw.  At  the  same  time» 
long  iron  bolts,  continually  tearing  through  the  timber,  looked 
like  small  lamp-posts. 

Still,  "  onward "  was  the  word,  and  heroically  did  our 
wearied  men  rush  forward  to  contend  with  the  fresh  and 
untouohed  divisions  of  the  enemy.  Now  driven  back,  fresh 
troops  poured  in  to  take  their,  place,  and  our  men  continually 
found  themselves  opposed  to  several  "reliefs,"  ere  any  other  of 
our  regiments  came  up.  But  once  hand-to-hand  with  infantry, 
and  out  of  the  way  of  cannon,  our  fellows  advanced  manfully  to 
the  contest,  and  soon  smashed  up  their  first  line  of  defence. 
Drawing  artillery  from  our  front  into  the  middle  of  their 
camps,  so  as  to  sweep  the  rising,  ground,  a  second  line  con- 
fronted us,  and  the  fighting  was  even  more  terrible  than  be- 
fore. Volleys  upon  volleys  streamed  across  our  front,  and  in 
such  quick  succession,  that  it  seemed  impossible  for  any  hu- 
man being  to  live  under  it.  Our  firing  was  quick  but  irregu- 
lar ;  and  the  men,  as  usual,  proved  such  adepts  with  the7  rifle, 
that  officers  were  tumbled  over  every  moment. 

Footing  having  been  secured  on  the  high  ground,  the  strug- 
gle was  more  equal,  and  the  whole  scene  was  observable  at  a 
glance.  "We  were  in  the  timber,  on  the  edge  of  the  field, 
whereon  Frazier's  house  stands — woods  to  our  left,  right,  and 
front,  whence  the  enemy  in  strong  force  poured  incessant  vol- 
leys upon  any  who  dared  approach  their  guns,  now  in  full 
play  in  the  open  fields.  When  our  line  was  re-formed,  how- 
ever, and  the  wings  began  to  press  forward,  Featherstone, 
Pryor,  and.Wilcox  pushed  the  centre  vigorously,  and  the 
first-named,  making  a  rush  for  the  guns,  seized  them,  but 
had  to  fall  back  under  the  fire  of  a  heavy  force,  and  suffered 
much.  "Wilcox  and  Pryor  performed  prodigies  of  valor  with 
their  exhausted  brigades,  yet  McCali's  resources  seemed  to 
have  no  limit,  for  as  soon  as  one  regiment  was  vanquished 
another  was  pushed  forward  in  its  place,  so  that  it  required 


358  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

great  efforts  to  drive  them  back.  Featherstone  and  Fields 
made  another  dash  at  their  batteries,  but  were  so  shattered 
they  could  not  hold  them.  At  last,  after  resting  some  time, 
these  two  commanders  rushed  at  them  again,  and  secured  the 
guns  beyond  all  hope  of  redemption,  for  our  whole  line  ad- 
vanced simultaneously  with  loud  yells,  and  drove  the  enemy 
handsomely  from  the  field  about  half-past  eight  P.M.,  after 
-one  of  the  most  stoutly  contested  battles  through  which  we 
had  as  yet  passed. 

Pushing  our  column  forward  again,  we  followed  up  the 
enemy's  retreat,  and  did  not  halt  until  they  were  driven  more 
than  a  mile ;  but  although  frequently  assailing  us  in  the  dark- 
ness, it  was  only  for  a  few  moments,  for  our  troops  invariably 
charged  upon  them,  but  seldom  firing.  While  our  advance 
was  pushing  forward,  and  the  enemy's  gunboats  lit  up  the 
heavens  with  vivid  flashes,  and  shell  and  iron  bolts  whizzed 
and  screamed  through  the  air,  tearing  down  the  trees  like 
things  of  pasteboard,  a  singular  incident  occurred  in  the  cap- 
tured camps  round  Frazier's  house.  Some  Virginia  and  other 
troops  were  leaning  on  the  guns,  and  conversing  about  the 
battle,  when  a  party  of  horsemen  rode  up,  the  chief  of  whom 
said:  "Who  guard  these  guns?"  "  We  do,"  was  the  answer. 
"That's  right,  boys,"  was  the  pleasant  reply;  "  don't  let  them 
fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy ;  heavy  reenforcements  will 
arrive  shortly.  What  brigade  are  you  ?"  inquired  the  speak- 
er, for  it  was  so  dark  nothing  could  be  distinguished.  "  Forty- 
seventh  Virginia !"  was  the  quick  reply.  Two  of  the  iiorse- 
men  turned  to  flee ;  but  our  men  detecting  the  mistake  they 
had  made,  fired  and  killed  them  ;  the  third  person,  whom  they 
arrested,  proved  to  be  no  other  than  Major-General  James 
McCall,  United  States  Army,  one  of  those  who  had  com- 
manded in  the  engagement. 

Though  late  in  the  night,  the  enemy  determined  to  make 
another  effort  for  the  recovery  of  the  guns  and  battle-field,  so 
that  while  our  column  moved  ahead,  unmindful  of  further 
danger,  a  flash  of  light  broke  upon  their  path,  revealing  the 
enemy  again  drawn  up  in  battle  array,  supported  by  fresh  artil- 
lery. Fatigued  as  we  were,  from  marching  over  twenty  miles, 
and  fighting  for  several  hours,  this  apparition  of  the  enemy 


BATTLE  OF  FRAZIER'S  FARM.  859 

again  appearing  to  our  front,  with  fresh  troops,  seemed  to 
dishearten  all,  for  it  was  now  ten  P.M.,  and  dark  as  Erebus. 
Fighting  in  the  woods  is  unpleasant  at  any  time,  stumbling 
over  fallen  timber  and  stumps;  but  to  find  an  enemy  excel- 
lently posted  on  well-known  ground  at  ten  o'clock  on  a 
moonless  night,  with  swampy  timber  on  either  hand,  and  a 
solitary,  dusty  road  to  retreat  by,  and  no  artillery  in  sup- 
port, was  sufficient  to  appall  the  best  of  troops ;  much  more 
so  a  body  of  men  who  had  travelled  more  than  twenty 
miles  on  a  hot  and  dusty  road,  without  refreshment,  andx  had 
but  just  been  relieved  from  a  four  hours'  contest. 

Surprised  but  not  discouraged,  our  men  rapidly  formed, 
under  a  storm  of  shot,  and  taking  aim  at  the  stream  of  fire 
before  them,  stubbornly  contested  the  ground  inch  by  inch, 
and  sullenly  fell  back  in  admirable  order,  fighting  as  they 
went.  Thinking  to  annihilate  our  small  band  of  heroes,  and 
recapture  all  that  had  been  lost,  this  fresh  corps  of  the 
enemy  now  advanced  with  loud  cheers ;  but  our  fire  was  so 
accurate  and  well-timed  that- they  soon  slackened  their  pace, 
and  moved  forward  more  cautiously.  The  position  of  Gene- 
ral Hill  was  precarious  in  the  extreme.  His  division  was 
badly  shattered  by  the  previous  fight,  and  he  was  fully  a 
mile  from  the  battle-field,  and  obliged  to  accept  another  en- 
gagement. Holding  his  ground,  he  sent  for  reenforcements ; 
none  were  within  several  miles  of  the  spot.  Eemembering 
the  heroes  of  Wilcox  and  other  generals  who  had  fought  with 
such  fury  a  few  hours  before,  but  were  now  resting  in  the  rear, 
he  dashed  off,  and,  finding  them  re-forming,  hurriedly  explain- 
ed how  matters  stood ;  his  appeal  was  answered  with  deafening 
yells.  Eunning  forward  at  the  "  double-quick,"  these  Spartans 
began  to  yell  more  loudly  the  nearer  they  approached  the  scene 
of  conflict ;  when  it  was  found  that  the  cheering  of  the  Yan- 
kees had  subsided,  and  that  they  were  in  full  retreat  again,  for, 
thinking  our  unearthly  noises  proceeded  from  a  fresh  division 
advancing  to  the  attack,  they  were  loth  to  engage  them ;  slink- 
ing off  in  the  darkness,  they  did  not  fire  another  shot. 

It  was  fortunate  for  Hill  that  the  enemy  did  retire ;  for  al- 
though he  had  handsomely  whipped  them  in  the  first  engage- 
ment, and  bravely  held  his  ground  against  their  fresh  divisions 
in  this  last  encounter,  it  was  not  possible  he  could  have  success- 


360  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

fully  withstood  them  with  his  few  torn  and  wearied  brigades, 
had  they  been  sufficiently  courageous  to  push  their  temporary 
advantage.  With  his  men  under  arms,  therefore,  and  excel- 
lently posted,  he  remained  in  position  nearly  an  hour,  expect- 
ing other  demonstrations  in  his  front ;  but  all  was  still,  until 
the  distant  tramp  and  shouts  of  Magruder's  division  agreeably 
broke  upon  the  ear,  as  they  gaily  marched  upon  the  scene,  and 
relieved  him  of  all  further  anxiety.  Gathering  the  remnants  of 
his  gallant  division,  almost  decimated  by  continual  hard-fought 
engagements,  Hill  retired  to  the  rear  to  recruit  and  re-form, 
while  Magruder's  men  bivouacked  in  the  enemy's  camps,  among 
guns,  prisoners,  and  spoil;  their  hearts  pained  by  the  heart- 
rending cries  of  the  wounded  and  dying.  The  scene  upon  this, 
as  upon  all  battle-fields,  was  truly  painful  and  horrible.  The 
engagement  had  been  obstinately  contested,  and  was  a  bloody 
one ;  for  placed  as  the  enemy  were  upon  rising  ground,  well 
protected  by  artillery,  every  inch  had  been  stoutly  contested, 
and  was  marked  by  prostrate  bodies  of  friend  and  foe. 

When  the  engagement  commenced  it  was  not  expected  that 
Hill  would  be  left  to  maintain  the  contest  alone.  It  was  thought 
that  Huger*  would  have  fallen  upon  the  enemy's  rear ;  but,  as 
usual,  that  commander  .was  behind  time,  and  Hill,  as  a  conse- 
quence, was  almost  annihilated.  It  was  said  that  Huger  would 
have  arrived  in  time  to  assist  in  the  sanguinary  contest,  but  on 
the  way  found  the  enemy  had  destroyed  the  bridge  over  a 

*  Major-General  Benjamin  Huger  appears  to  be  near  sixty  years  of  age.  He  is 
of  medium  height,  thick-set,  and  stout ;  full  face,  ruddy  complexion,  with  grey  hair, 
heavy  grey  moustaches,  grey  eye,  slow  of  speech  and  motion,  evidently  slow  of 
thought,  and  sits  his  horse  uneasily.  Like  most  of  our  generals,  his  uniform  is  much 
worn,  and  far  from  imposing,  so  that  few  would  take  him  for  a  major-general.  He 
is  brave  to  a  fault,  but  that  does  not  compensate  for  the  want  of  a  quick,  penetrat- 
ing intellect,  and  rapidity  of  movement.  When  the  Norfolk  Navy  Yard  (Virginia) 
was  destroyed  and  evacuated  by  the  Federals,  April  twentieth,  1861,  he  was  ap- 
pointed commander  of  that  post,  and  elaborately  fortified  it  with  hundreds  of  guns 
found  there,  bidding  defiance  to  all  the  vast  armaments  fitting  out  at  Fortress  Mon- 
roe. He  evacuated  the  place  in  April,  1862,  according  to  orders,  and  served,  as  we 
have  shown,  at  "Seven  Pines,"  and  during  the  "week's  campaign"  before  Rich- 
mond. The  army  has  spoken  bitterly  of  his  "slowness,"  and  he  was  removed  from 
active  operations,  and  appointed  Chief  of  Ordnance.  He  entered  the  old  service  at 
an  early  age,  and  when  hostilities  commenced  was  Brevet  Colonel,  Chief  of  Ord- 
nance, being  stationed  at  the  extensive  arsenal  of  Pikesville,  in  Maryland.  -  He  has 
a  son  in  our  army,  who  has  greatly  distinguished  himself  as  captain  of  artillery. 


DELAY  OF   HUGER.  .    361 

creek,  and  hotly  disputed  his  passage  with  many  guns.  An 
artillery  duel  ensued,  in  which  we  vanquished  them.  Our  cav- 
alry rode  over  to  secure  the  pieces,  but  were  met  by  a  strong 
force  of  infantry  and  obliged  to  return.  Hearing  the  firing  at 
Frazier's,  the  Federal  commander  retreated,  after  delaying  Hu- 
ger  more  than  five  hours,  and  joined  forces  with  McCall  against 
the  heroic  Hill. 

Had  not  Hill's  division  been  made  of  steel,  rather  than  flesh 
and  blood,  they  could  not  have  withstood  the  many  hardships 
of  these  trying  days,  for  after  fighting  desperately  at  Mechan- 
icsville  on  Thursday,  they  marched  to  Gaines's  Mills  and  fought 
five  hours  on  Friday ;  rested  part  of  Saturday ;  travelled  a  cir- 
cuitous route  and  a  terrible  road  of  forty  miles  on  Sunday  and 
Monday,  achieving  another  brilliant  victory,  unassisted,  against 
great  odds!  Hill,  however,  is  a  general  of  genius,  and  had  it 
not  been  for  the  scientific  handling  of  his  men,  few  would  have 
slept  uninjured  on  the  torn  and  bloody  field  on  Monday  night- 
All  were  prostrated  with  fatigue,  and  lay  on  the  ground  with- 
out fires,  or  covering,  or  food,  too  weary  to  think  of  any  thing 
but  rest. 

To  show  the  character  of  the  fighting  for  the  past  few  days, 
I  will  merely  state  that  when  Featherstone's  and  other  brigades 
went  into  action  on  Friday  morning,  each  mustered  an  aggre- 
gate of  from  two  to  three  thousand  men,  but  when  returns  were 
made  late  on  Monday  night,  they  could  not  muster  more  than 
from  five  hundred  to  one  thousand  fit  for  duty!  Colonels, 
majors,  and  captains  without  number  were  absent  on  the  rolls — 
a  few  killed,  the  majority  wounded,  and  several  sick !  Such 
mortality  could  not  be  long  sustained ;  yet  though  we  suffered 
considerably  under  the  many  disadvantages  of  ground,  insuffi- 
cient force,  and  the  absence  of  artillery,  I  must  again  affirm, 
from  a  close  inspection  of  the  field,  that  the  enemy's  loss  dou- 
bled ours,  not  including. the  hundreds  of  prisoners,  thousands 
of  small  arms,  and  many  cannon  captured.  Singular  as  this 
may  seem,  such  is  the  fact,  attested  by  all  who  were  eye-witnesses 
of  this  and  other  engagements,  and  if  there  is  one  cause  more 
than  another  to  which  it  is  attributable,  it  was  undoubtedly 
owing  to  the  visible  protection  of  a  just  and  protecting  God! 

On  either  side  of  the  road,  through  the  thickly  growing  for- 


362  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

ests  of  sedged  pines,  lamps  and  lights  were  flitting  through  the 
night,  where  dead  and  wounded  lay  in  scores.  Most  of  the 
fighting  had  taken  place  in  the  timber,  and  deep  marks  in  the 
light  sandy  soil,  with  bodies  of  friends  and  foes  scattered  in 
profusion,  told  where  regiment  had  met  regiment  in  the  shade, 
and  rushed  together  in  the  deadly  shock  of  battle.  Standing 
near  Frazier's  house  and  looking  towards  Eichmond,  the  land 
gradually  falls,  but  at  this  spot  more  abruptly ;  so  that  the  en- 
emy drawn  up  in  battle  array  on  the  open  farm,  screened  from 
sight  by  timber  on  all  sides,  had  an  unbroken  view  of  our  ap- 
proach, and  could  tear  us  with  their  heavy  batteries,  no  matter 
how  we  might  mnaceuvre,  while  from  the  river  came  mammoth 
shell  and  iron  bolts  from  their  gunboats,  snapping  the  trees  as 
if  they  were  matches.  This  selection  of  ground  again  shows  the 
genius  of  McOlellan ;  but  it  also  fully  demonstrates  to  all,  that 
though  superior  in  numbers,  transportation,  and  materiel,  he 
declined  meeting  us  openly  with  any  thing  like  equal  numbers. 
The  whole  army  had  long  desired  a  fair  fight  in  open  ground — 
we  had  frequently  proffered  it,  though  of  inferior  force — but 
this  long-desired  equality  we  never  enjoyed ;  had  we  done  so, 
all  would  have  willingly  placed  their  hopes  and  expectations  on 
a  single  battle,  fully  convinced  that  we  could  vanquish  them  in 
less  than  an  hour.  On  the  contrary,  this  vaunted  army,  on 
which  so  much  care  and  treasure  had  been  lavished — this  Gen- 
eral McClellan,  who  was  "pushing  us  to  the  wall,"  and  gaining 
new  "  victories"  every  day! — rears  breastworks  on  every  hand 
to  protect  his  army  against  "a  few  miserable  rebels,"  who  assail 
'him  in  his  strongholds,  destroy  his  right  wing  in  two  days,  rout 
his  centre  on  another,  and  close  up  with  his  rear-guard  in  the 
very  face  of  his  gunboats !  Still  they  shout  with  stentorian 
lungs,  "On  to  Eichmond  I"  "  Victory  I  victory !"  "Another 
great  battle  I  another  big  smash-up  of  the  rebels  1"  etc. 

Truly  this  battle  was  more  than  an  ordinary  one,  all  things 
considered,  and  will  prove  the  never-fading  honor  of  Hill,  if 
the  impetuous  spirit  of  that  gallant  soldier  does  not  meet  with 
an  untimely  fate.  He  was  everywhere  among  the  men,  leading 
and  cheering  them  on  in  his  quiet  and  determined  manner.  He 
saw  the  overwhelming  numbers  with  which  they  had*  to  con- 
tend, but  calmly  planning  his  designs,  he  was  fiery  in  the  exe- 


A  "FREE  COLORED  PUSSUN."  363 

•  . 

cution  of  them,  giving  counsel,  as  if  in  private  life,  but  mount- 
ing his  horse  and  dashing  to  the  front  whenever  his  battalions 
began  to  swerve  before  the  masses  of  the  enemy.  Discovering 
their  weakest  point,  he  assailed  it  with  fury,  and  ordering  up 
the  whole  line,  led  them  into  the  conquered  camps,  hat  in  hand, 
and  never  rested  a  moment  until  the  enemy  were  driven  a  mile 
beyond !  Nor  was  he  contented  then,  for  knowing  the  value 
of  time,  he  pushed  his  advance  far  ahead,  and  so  punished  the 
enemy  that  they  recalled  a  whole  army  corps  to  arrest  his 
ardent  progress. 

•Keturned  from  viewing  as  much  of  the  field  as  was  possible 
in  the  darkness,  I  observed  a  light  in  Frazier's  house,  from 
which  also  there  was  smoke  ascending.  Feeling  somewhat 
cold,  I  entered,  and,  as  I  expected,  found  it  occupied  by  many 
of  the  wounded.  Before  the  fire  sat  a  middle-aged  negro 
wrapped  in  a  blanket  and  shivering. 

"  What's  amiss,  uncle  ?"  I  inquired,  taking  a  coal  and  light- 
ing  my  pipe. 

"  De  Lor  bress  you,  massa ! — de  chills,  de  chills,  sar ! " 

Supposing  a  little  liquor  would  not  hurt  him,  I  gave  him  a 
drink,  as  also  to  the  wounded,  as  far  as  it  went. 

"  Were  you  here,  uncle,  during  the  fight?  "  I  asked,  taking  a 

BtOol. 

"  No,  sar!— dis  chile  was  in  de  woods !  de  best  place,  /  tink, 
when  dem  ar  bullets  come  a  whistlin'  and  singin'  roun'  yer  head. 
Was  I  scart,  eh?  I  tink  I  was  scart — it  was  worse  nor  half  a 
dozen  scarts  to  dis  darkie.  Well,  you  see,  massa,  it  was  dis 
way.  When  ole  massa  hert  de  Lincumbites  was  comin'  roun' 
dese  digging,  '  Pete,'  says  he, '  I'se  gwine  to  Eichmon',  an'  I  wants 
you  ter  see  to  things,  an'  mine  de  Lincumbites  don't  run  off 
with  any  thing ;  dey  won't  hurt  you,'  says  he,  '  but  if  dey  only 
catches  me,  I'm  a  gone  chicken  I '  Well,  massa,  one  ebenin', 
while  I  eat  supper,  up  comes  a  whole  lot  of  Lincumbites,  and 
says  dey,  'Where's  de  master,  nigger?'  'In  Richmon','  says 
I,  an'  went  on  eatin' ;  but  a  big  fellow  »says  to  me,  '  Hi,  nigger, 
you're  wanted  out  here,'  an'  I  went  out.  '  How  many  chickens 
has  yer  got  ?  '  says  one.  '  Who's  dem  turkeys  'long  to  ? '  says 
another.  '  If  yer  don't  bring  me  out  some  milk  I'll  burst  yer 
head,'  says  some  one  in  de  crowd.  '  Pull  dat  bed  out  here,' 


364  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

• 

says  some  one.  '  Tuch  him  up  wid  de  bayonet,'  cried  another, 
an'  'kase  I  couldn't  begin  to  speak  to  'em  all,  somebody  kicks 
me  on  the  shin,  and  I  runs  in  de  house.  One  of  de  men  wid 
traps  on  shoulders  next  comes,  and  makes  'em  kind  o'  quiet, 
but  I  finds  out  dey  hab  taken  my  supper,  and  de  bed,  an'  de 
chairs,  and  didn't  leave  me  my  ole  pipe ! 

"  Ef  dis  is  de  Union  folks,  tinks  I,  dey  won't  suit  dis  darkie, 
sure  I  so  after  dey  stole  all  de  chickens,  and  de  turkeys,  and 
cabbage  and  taters,  I  tought  it  was  about  time  for  dis  chile  to 
leave.  So  I  packs  up  two  or  tree  things  in  a  yaller  handker- 
cher,  and  puts  out.  'Halt,  dar!'  says  a  big  feller  wid  a  gun. 
'Where's  you  gwine,  darkie? '  'I'm  gwine  to  Richmon','  says 
I,  '  to  massa,  to  get  somethin'  to  eat.'  '  Oh !  yer  tick-head  nig- 
ger,' says  he,  '  doesn't  yer  know  we'se  de  Grate  Liberation  army 
ob  de  Norf,  an'  come  to  set  all  de  niggers  free  ?  '  '  I'se  a  free 
colored  pussun,  any  how/  says  I,  '  an'  kin  go  anywhere  I'se  a 
mind,'  says  I;  an'  was  goin'  to  pass  him,  when  he  hits  me  wid 
de  gun,  and  two  soldyers  seizes  me  by  the  scruff  ob  de  neck, 
an'  hauls  me  up  before  de  kernel. 

"  'Where  did  you  find  this  colored  feller?  '  say  she,  smoking 
a  cigar,  big  like,  and  frowing  out  his  legs.  '  Where  did  you 
cotch  de  conterbran'  ?  '  says  another,  drinkin'  whiskey.  '  I  guess 
dese  unfortunate  peoples  don't  know  de  blessin'  of  de  Union, 
an'.de  ole  flag!'  'I'se  a  free  man,  sar,' says  I.  'Hole  yer 
tongue,'  says  he,  getting  kind  o'  red ;  '  if  dese  people  don't  know 
de  blessin'  ob  liberty,  an'  don't  'preciate  us,  dey  must  be  taught, 
dafs  all  I  Is  dar  no  diggin'  to  be  done,  captin  ? '  says  he  to 
another  one  lyin'  on  a  bed.  '  I  guess  so,'  says  he,  '  dare's  nofing 
like  it.'  '  Take  him  off  to  de  guard-house,  sargent,'  says  he,  and 
kase  I  said,  '  I'se  free,'  de  sargent  begins  an'  kicks  de  clof  out 
ob  my  pants.  An'  dare  dey  hab  me,  massa,  more  nor  a  week, 
diggin'  ebery  day,  an'  feediu'  me  an'  lots  of  other  darkies  on 
black  beans  an'  pork  massa's  hogs  won't  eat.  But  when  I  hear 
de  firin'  goin'  on — 'now's  de  time  for  dis  chile,'  says  I,  and  I 
gets  out  ob  de  way  rite  smart  for  an  ole  darky.  Fust  I  gets  to 
de  right,  but  de  bullets  fly  so  mighty  thick  I  runs  off  somewhar 
else ;  den  one  ob  dem  big  screechin'  things  comes  along,  an'  I 
begins  to  say  my  prayers  mighty  fast ;  den  while  I  lay  b'hind 
a  tree,  our  folks  comes  up,  makin'  big  noise,  an'  I  lays  bery 


A  NEGRO'S  SENTIMENTS.  365 

close  to  the  groun' ;  but  -which  way  I  go,  it  seems  as  if  some 
darned  bullet  was  chuckin'  in  to  me,  so  I  gets  mighty  scart,  an' 
runs  clar  into  de  swamp,  and  dar  I  stays  until  jist  now,  when  I 
crawls  home  agin'  shiverin'  in  ebery  joint !  Nobody  talk  to 
me,  massa,  of  de  Norf.  I  knows  how  it  is — dey  only  wants  to 
work  de  life  out  ob  de  colored  folks,  •  an'  den  dey  gives  'em  deir 
'  free  papers,'  to  let  'em  starve  whe*n  dere's  no  more  bressworks 
to  dig.  Dey  can't  fool  dis  chile — he  knows  more  nor  he  wishes 
to  know  about  deir  Grate  Norfern  Libratin'  Union  army ;  but 
ef  all  de  darkies  are  done  to  as  dey  did  to  dis  pussun,  de  darkies 
better  stay  wid  ole  massa,  an'  lib  as  he  like,  and  have  doctors 
to  look  at  'em,  and  hab  dimes  to  spen'.  Lor'  hab  mercy  on  us, 
massa,  but  dere's  many  dead  folks  lying  aroun'  ole  massa's 
place.  De  Yanks  used  to  talk  big  ebery  day  'fore  yer  come 
along,  and  dey  was  going  to  do  debble  an'  all,  but  I  guess  dey 
knows  as  much  about  ole  Virginny  now  as  I  did  before  dey  trab- 
bled  from  the  Norf  to  give  de  Suvern  boys  a  shake !  Big  fools, 
an't  dey,  to  tink  dey're  good  as  us,  whose  born  on  de  ole  place, 
and  grow  up  wid  white  folks'  children  ?  Why,  dey  an't  half 
as  good  as  some  darkies,  if  dey  is  white  folks  and  talks  big  1 " 


CHAPTER  XXXYII. 

The  Pursuit  of  McClellan  continued — Where  is  Old  Jackson  ? — The  Federal  Troops 
kept  in  ignorance  of  their  Retreat — Use  of  Federal  Cavalry — The  Seventh  New- 
York-XBattle  of  Malvern  Hill — Desperate  Engagement,  July  First — Reckless 
Sacrifice  of  Life  by  Magruder — Gallantry  of  Colonel  Norman — The  Enemy,  fully 
routed  and  demoralized,  seek  Protection  under  their  Gunboats. 

.  WEARIED  beyond  all  expression  by  the  continual  marching 
and  fighting  of  the  past  week,  I  procured  a  bundle  of  hay  and 
a  few  handfuls  of  corn  for  my  jaded  horse,  and  throwing  my- 
self down  on  a  heap  of  straw  beneath  the  pines,  sought  some 
little  rest.  The  continual  movement  of  troops,  however, 
through  the  night,  passing  and  repassing  by  a  single  road 
within  a  few  feet  of  me,  disturbed  my  slumber,  and  half  asleep 
or  awake,  I  heard  all  kinds  of  voices  and  noises  around  me. 
Huger's  division  had  at  last  arrived  somewhere  in  the  neighbor- 
hood. Jackson's,  Longstreet's,  and  other  divisions  were  dis- 
tributed in  every  direction  through  the  neighboring  woods,  and 
it  was  difficult  to  ascertain  in  what  order ;  for,  having  left  my 
horse  for  five  minutes  to.  drink  a  cup  of  "  rye  coffee,"  kindly 
proffered  by  an  aide,  I  was  nearly  an  hour  in  finding  again  the 
much  coveted  bed  of  straw."  First,  I  found  myself  among  Ma- 
gruder's  men ;  next,  I  turned  down  the  road  a  few  yards,  and 
found  myself  in  Whiting's  division,  and,  strange  as  it  may 
seem,  I  had  hunted  among  nearly  all  the  divisions  of  the  army 
ere  I  found  my  voracious  horse,  which  had  eaten  up  all  my 
bedding. 

Unstrapping  a  blanket,  I  threw  myself  among  leaves  and 
branches  upon  the  sand,  and  did  every  thing  I  could  imagine 
to  court  sleep ;  but  just  as  my  eyes  closed,  some  one  would 
shove  me  and  inquire:  "Where  is  Lee's  head-quarters?"  "Is 
this  Longstreet's  division  ?"  and  so  on.  At  other  times,  I  sud- 
denly awoke  and  found  some  one  mounting  my  horse  in  mis- 
take for  his  own;  then,  again,  loud  reports  of  musketry  in 


SLEEPING   IN   CAMP.  367 

front  awoke  all,  and  brought  us  suddenly  to  our  feet.  At 
length,  in  despair,  I  rode  down  to  a  brook,  watered  my  horse, 
washed  my  face,  and  stood,  with  bridle  in  hand,  dozing  against 
a  tree  until  morning  broke. 

>,JIore  asleep  than  awake,  duties  called  me  in  various  direc- 
'tions,  and  the  universal  bustle  indicated  that  a  general  engage- 
ment was  anticipated.  Infantry  were  busy  cleaning  arms,  field 
officers  stood  aloof  in  groups,  conversing ;  generals  and  staffs 
moved  to  and  fro,  while  couriers  were  everywhere  inquiring 
for  Jackson,  Longstreet,  Hill,  Magruder,  and  all  the  generals  in 
the  army.  None  could  tell  where  these  officers  were.  A  few 
moments  before,  such  an  one  was  seen  passing  up  the  road 
another  down,  but  where  they  were  at  any  particular  time  the 
best  informed  could  not  pretend  to  tell.  In  and  out  of  the 
woods,  they  were  moving  incessantly.  "  Where  is  old  Jackson, 
I  wonder  ?"  petulantly  inquired  a  dusty  courier,  with  his  horse 
in  a  foam;  "I  wish  to  heaven  these  generals  would  have 
some  fixed  spot  where  they  might  be  found ;  but  the  devil  of 
it  is,  old  Jackson  is  always  moving  about.  I  think-  he  even 
walks  in  his  sleep,  or  never  sleeps  at  all,  for  here  have  I  been 
hunting  him  for  the  past  hour."  Every  body  in  the  group 
laughed,  except  one  seedy,  oldish-looking  officer,  intently  listen- 
ing to  the  picket-firing  in  front,  whom  nobody  thought  to  be 
more  than  some  old  major  or  other.  "  Here  is  Jackson,  young 
man,"  said  the  officer,  turning  quietly,  without  a  muscle  Shov- 
ing. "  Return  to  your  post,  sir,"  said  he ;  "  this  paper  requires 
no  answer."  And  he  put  it  in  his  pocket,  and  trotted  off  as 
unconcerned  as  if  nothing  had  happened.  "  Who  would  have 
thought  tfiai  was  he  ?"  we  all  exclaimed.  "Oh!  'tis  just  like 
him,"  said  one;  "  I  have  known  him  to  dismount  and  help  ar- 
tillery out  of  the  mud  for  half  an  hour  at  a  time,  and  ride  off 
again  without  being  discovered.  He  is  always  poking  about  in 
out-of-the-way  places :  not  unfrequently  he  rides  unattended  to 
distant  outposts  at  night,  and  converses  with  the  pickets  about 
the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  without  more  ceremony  than 
you  just  now  saw  exhibited.  It  is  his  continual  industry  and 
sleeplessness  that  have  routed  Banks,  Shields,  and  others  in  the 
Valley.  He  is  continually  moving  himself,  and  expects  all 
under  him  to  be  animated  by  the  same  solicitude  and  watchful- 
ness." 


368  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF   THE   SOUTH. 

It  was  now  past  seven  A.M.,  and  our  advanced  guard  had 
been  on  the  move  some  time,  but  without  discovering  the 
slightest  clue  to  the  whereabouts  of  McClellan  and  his  army. 
It  was  conjectured  that  he  had  been  travelling  all  night  through 
the  swamp  to  reach  his  gunboats  at  the  river,  but  in  which 
direction  none  could  imagine.  Our  troops  occupied  all  the 
main  avenues  of  his  retreat,  yet  no  signs  were  visible  of  the 
route  pursued  by  him.  There  was  but  one  road  left  open  to 
him,  and  that  was  merely  a  wagon-track  through  dense  timber, 
where  it  was  considered  improbable  any  of  his  forces  would 
pass,  although  it  was  far  nearer  to  the  river.  With  troops  on 
three  sides  of  him,  it  was  thought  he  might  make  a  desperate 
stand,  once  again,  and  endeavor  to  turn  the  fortune  of  war. 
He  was  somewhere  in  this  irregular,  marshy,  swampy,  and 
densely-timbered  country,  but  at  what  precise  point  none  could 
imagine. 

We  had  captured  many  laggards  of  his  army,  but  they  were 
unable  to  give  the  slightest  intimation  of  his  route.  All  'they 
knew  was,  that  his  rear  was  heavily  guarded  by  artillery  and 
cavalry,  the  latter  having  orders  to  shoot  any  who  broke 
ranks  and  lagged  behind.  The  teams  had  gone  far  ahead,  es- 
corted by  horsemen,  and  many  drivers  had  been  shot  on  the 
spot  for  unruly  behavior.  Thousands  of  the  army  were  ragged, 
torn,  and  wounded;  but  were  encouraged  by  McClellan,  who 
said  "  he  had  the  rebels,  now,  just  where  he  wanted  them,  and 
should  be  able  to  take  Kichmond  much  more  speedily  than  be- 
fore." They  did  not  believe  him,  nor  did  any  of  the  army ;  the 
immense  crowds  of  dead  and  wounded,  and  their  hasty  retreat, 
told  too  plainly  that  they  were  badly  whipped,  and  had  better 
make  for  their  gunboats  as  speedily  as  possible..  A  few  hours 
before  the  battle  of  Frazier's  Farm,.  McClellan,  they  informed 
us,  had  addressed  the  troops  there  with  visible  emotion ;  he  be- 
sought his  men  to  cheer  up,  and  not  be  discouraged — begged 
all,  in  the  name  of  God,  not  to  disgrace  themselves  again,  but 
fight  manfully  for  the  Union  and  the  old  flag !  He  was  confi- 
dent of  whipping  us — he  had  all  things  "cut  and  dried  "'for 
our  destruction  at  Frazier's,  and  was  going  to  attack  us  with 
fresh  troops,  and  annihilate  our  first  division  before  others 
came  up.  EQs  position  was  much  higher  than  ours,  the  artil- 


DEMORALIZATION  OF  MCCLELLAN.'S  ARMY.  369 

lery  excellently  placed,  etc.;  and  he  passionately  begged  the 
men  to  stand  to  their  arms,  for  he  intended  to  destroy  us,  and 
push  on  to  Richmond.  These  prisoners  told  a  doleful  tale  of 
affairs  since  the  fight  opened  at  the  Branch  turnpike  on  Thurs- 
day afternoon.  The  rank  and  file  knew  nothing  of  Jackson's 
approach  in  the  direction  of  Hanover  Court-House ;  but  the 
officers  knew :  and  when  asked  what  the  immense  destruction 
of  stores  meant  along  the  line,  1:hey  answered  ambiguously, 
spoke  of  a  probable  " change  of  base,"  "clearing  of  the  rear,"  and 
of  a  speedy  "march  to  Richmond."  When  Porter's  right  wing 
was  driven  out  of  Mechanicsville,  Ellison's  Mills,  and  Beaver 
Dam  Creek,  McClellan  laughed,  and  said  he  was  only  "  drawing 
the  rebels  on  to  destruction  "  at  Qaines's  Mills  ;  and  when  the 
whole  of  the  right  and  part  of  the  centre  were  driven  thence> 
he  said  that  now  the  rebels  were  fairly  caught  in  his  toils,  he 
had  gotten  us  all  on  the  north  bank,  and  was  going  to  hurl  his 
strength  at  our  right,  feeble  as  it  was,  and  capture  Richmond  in 
one  day,  before  we  had  time  to  re-cross  and  oppose  him. 

This  was  all  believed  by  the  multitude,  who  relied  implicitly 
on  his  word,  until  the  heavy  wagon-trains  of  Porter  and  other 
generals  began  moving  towards  the  James  River  on  Friday 
night,  Saturday,  and  Sunday,  and  the  torch  was  applied  to 
their  stores.  When,  added  to  this,  our  advance  moved  down 
the  railroad,  and  routed  their  chosen  rear-guard  at  "Savage 
Station "  and  other  places,  then  the  men  began  to  think 
McClellan  was  fooling  them,  and  that  "  on  to  Richmond  "  was 
a  hoax  !  The  consequence  of  this  conviction  spreading*  among 
the  troops  may  be  imagined.  There  were  heavy  forces  station- 
ed at  Frazier's  to  retard  our  advance,  and  McCall,  Heintzelman, 
and  others,  thinking  them  sufficient,  McClellan  and  the  rest 
pushed  forward  into  the  swamp ;  but  when  these  generals  were 
defeated,  McClellan,  fearful  for  the  safety  of  the  remainder,  de- 
tached a  whole  corps  at  nine  P.M.  to  arrest  our  further  advance. 
Their  troops,  these  prisoners  informed  us,  had  been  on  the 
move  night  and  day  since  Thursday  :  the  entire  army  was  de- 
moralized, and  only  kept  under  subjection  by  large  forces  of 
artillery  and  cavalry  hovering  in  the  rear.  The  cavalry  were 
'of  no  use  they  said,  only  to  intimidate  the  infantry,  and  were 
always  stationed  in  the  rear  during  a  fight,  to  cut  and  shoot  any 
24 


370  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE    SOUTH. 

who  lagged  behind  or  broke  into  disorder,  allowing  no  one  to 
pass  from  the  field  unless  wounded ! 

Here  was  a  sad  picture !  Cavalry  employed  to  force  their 
infantry  to  the  front !  That  this  is  true,  is  verified  by  scores, 
and  I  myself  have  seen  their  cavalry  cut  and  thrust  among 
them  when  routed,  disordered,  and  unwilling  to  advance,  par- 
ticularly when  our  picket-posts  were  skirmishing  in  the  vicinity 
of  Munson's  Hill  and  Arlington,  during  the  month  of  Septem- 
ber, 1861. 

Foot-sore,  jaded,  ragged,  and  oftentimes  wounded,  long  files 
of  prisoners  passed  us  during  the  morning,  feeling  heartily  glad 
to  have  fallen  into  our  hands.  '  Many  sat  by  the  roadside,  chat- 
ting intelligently  of  the  course  of  events ;  one  and  all  agreed 
that  it  was  now  impossible  to  surround  McClellan,  for  he  was 
near  his  transports,  and  had  a  large  flotilla  of  gunboats,  with 
ports  open  and  ready  to  bombard  our  army,  should  we  approach 
too  near.  Had  we  but  possessed  gunboats  on  the  river,  we 
might  have  achieved  wonders;  but  destitute  of  this  arm,  we 
could  only  follow  as  far  as  practicable,  and  do  our  best.  From 
an  officer  among  the  prisoners,  I  heard  an  incident  related, 
which  may  be  considered  worthy  of  remembrance. 

In  April,  1861,  when  General  Scott  made  a  great  fuss  in  the 
papers  about  the  peril  of  Washington,  among  the  first  to  vol- 
unteer their  services  was  the  celebrated  "Seventh  Eegiment" 
of  New- York  City — a  corps  that  was  the  pet  of  the  whole  coun- 
try, being,  perhaps,  better  drilled  than  any  other  volunteer 
regiment  in  the  world.  They  mustered  about  eight  hundred 
bayonets ;  had  four  or  five  fancy  suits ;  the  best  of  arms ;  the 
best  blood  of  New- York  was  enrolled  in  their  rank  and  file — in 
short,  the. men  of  this  regiment  were  dandies  and  "  exclusives." 
They  had  a  pretty  drum  corps  of  forty  drummers,  and  a  splen- 
did mixed  band  of  seventy  silver  and  reed  instruments ;  and 
when  they  thought  proper  to  parade,  the  whole  city  was  on 
tiptoe  with  curiosity.  Upon  their  arrival  at  Washington,  and 
during  the  entire  journey,  artists  of  illustrated  sheets  were  ever 
on  the  spot  ready  with  pencil  in  hand  to  sketch  the  most  in- 
significant event.  When  at  the  capital,  these  carpet  knights 
refused  to  cross  the  Potomac  for  active  service,  and  soon  return- 
ed to  New- York  with  flying  banners,  as  if  returning  from  con- 


A  CRACK  CORPS.  371 

quest  Then  came  the  time  when  Banks's  army,  routed  by 
Jackson  at  Front  Eoyal,  rushed  in  disordered  masses  to  "Wash- 
ington, and  again  the  cry  was  raised  of  "  the  Capitol  in  danger," 
and  the  "  gallant  Seventh  "  volunteered  to  go  to  its  defence  a 
second  time.  This  time  they  found  a  master  in  McClellan,  who 
unceremoniously  marched  them  to  ms  lines  in  front  of  Eich- 
mond !  In  a  few  days  the  "  week's  campaign  "  opened,  and 
the  first  fight  in  which  they  participated  was  at  Frazier's  Farm, 
where  they  left  hundreds  of  bodies  and  knapsacks  behind 
them  I  I  had  seen  scores  of  our  men  with  knapsacks,  on  which 
was  painted  "  Fifteenth  Massachusetts,"  "  Twelfth  New- York,'' 
"Twentieth  Khode  Island,"  "Seventh  New- York,"  etc.,  but  it 
never  occurred  to  me  that  this  was  the  "  Seventh  New- York" 
whose  fine  appearance  in  Broadway  and  in  Washington,  on 
festal  occasions,  was  the  everlasting  theme  of  reporters,  and  the 
envy  of  every  other  military  organization  in  the  States.  In 
looking  at  the  number  of  dead  bodies  scattered  far  and  wide,  I 
could  not  but  meditate  on  the  havoc  which  our  dusty,  ragged, 
and  powder-stained  Southerners  had  made  in  this,  the  finest 
regiment  of  the  North ! 

From  the  uncertainty  that  prevailed  regarding  McClellan's 
force,  position,  and  intentions,  it  was  dangerous  to  push  on  the 
advance  rapidly.  Magruder  therefore  moved  his  division  cau- 
tiously through  the  woods  and  along  the  wretched  lanes,  ex- 
pecting to  find  the  Federals  drawn  up  in  every  open  space  we 
came  across.  A  strong  body  of  skirmishers,  supported  by  a 
few  pieces  of  artillery,  followed  the  advance  of  the  cavalry, 
who  diligently  reconnoitred  every  wood  ere  the  main  body  fol- 
lowed, At  a  tortuous  gait,  regiment  after  regiment  filed  past 
Frazier's  towards  the  south-east,  in  the  direction  of  the  river, 
halting  incessantly,  while  artillery  shelled  the  woods ;  feeling 
about  in  a  wide  expanse  of  timbered  swamp  for  the  ubiquitous 
McClellan  and  his  "  Grand  Army  of  the  Potomac."  He  could 
be  found  nowhere,  anfl  some  began  to  imagine  that  he  had 
effected  an  inglorious  flight  to  James  River,  there  to  embark 
for  parts  unknown.  The  First  North-Carolina  cavalry  —  or 
rather  what  remained  of  that  gallant  regiment — was  ordered  to 
the  front,  and  had  lively  recollections  of  the  enemy's  uncivil 
greeting  at  Frazier's  Farm  early  on  Sunday  morning.  They 


372  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

galloped  forward  gaily,  however,  at  the  bugle-call,  and  dashed 
off  down  the  lane  on  a  scout,  north  of  where  McClellan  was 
supposed  to  be.  All  listened  attentively  for  distant  firing,  and 
about  one  P.M.,  shots  were  rapidly  exchanged  to  the  south-east, 
towards  the  river,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Carter's  farm,  about 
two  miles  distant.  After  a  tedious  advance  of  more  than  four 
hours,  beating  about  through  the  timber,  in  this  rugged,  thickly- 
timbered  swamp,  the  enemy  were  at  last  found,  admirably 
posted  in  strong  force  I 

The  advance  was  now  taken  up  with  spirit ;  the  men  seemed 
delighted.  It  was  thought  that  Holmes's  division  might  still 
succeed  in  flanking  the  enemy  near  the  river,  and  get  in  their 
rear.  Jackson  was  on  their  left  flank,  and  Longstreet  close  up 
on  the  right,  Magruder  being  the  centre ;  all  our  troops,  conse- 
quently, were  within  a  radius  of  ten  miles,  the  wings  gradually 
converging  to  a  point.  McClellan's  only  outlet  was  the  river, 
where  he  had  the  advantage  of  his  gunboats  and  transports. 
But  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  ground  towards  the  river 
was  undulating,  and  rising  far  above  the  ordinary  level  in  that 
vijcinity,  was  admirable  for  defence.  In  fact,  it  was  discovered 
that  the  enemy  were  strongly  posted  on  Malvern  Hill,  (near  the 
river;)  and  all  approach,  for  more  than  a  mile,  being*  through 
open,  undulating  fields  on  Carter's  farm,  they  had  an  unbroken 
view  of  our  advance  from  the  timber,  and  could  sweep  us  at 
leisure  with  more  than  fifty  pieces  of  different  calibres !  Woods 
to  our  rear,  left,  and  right — open  fields  to  the  front  gradually 
rising  for  half  a  mile ;  a  plateau  of  six  hundred  yards  still 
beyond;  while  farther  still,  commanding  all  approach,  rose 
abruptly  Malvern  Hill,  on  and  around  which  were  massed 
their  heaviest  artillery.* 

The  reader  may  imagine  our  own  situation  compared  with 
this  admirably  selected  position,  and  the  desperate  work  in- 
trusted to  us.  It  was  McClellan's  last  stand,  and  there  was 
every  indication  that  he  meant  to  defend  it  to  the  last  ex- 
tremity, as  a  means  of  protecting  his  further  retreat  to  the 
river.  The  incessant  cannonade  from  Curl's  Neck,  and  the 

*  It  has  been  said  by  Northern  authorities  that  McClellan  had  more  than  one 
hundred  pieces  in  position  at  this  place^  many  of  them  being  twenty-four-pound 
rifles.  . 


MAGRUDER  INTOXICATED.  373 

untiring  energy  of  the  gunboats,  rendered  it  impossible  for 
Holmes  to  flank  him,  or  get  in  the  rear;  while  the  absence  of 
roads  to  our  front,  right,  and  left,  prevented  a  vigorous  advance 
in  those  quarters.  Forming  in  the  woods,  however,  our  in- 
fantry advanced,  and  soon  disposed  of  the  Federal  outposts 
for  they  ran  at  the  first  fire,  and  many  surrendered.  While 
feeling  our  way  in  the  timber,  to  the  right  and  left  of  McClel- 
lan's  formidable  position,  we  were  opposed  by  heavy  bodies  of 
infantry ;  but  from  their  feeble  style  of  fighting  it  was  evident 
they  were  ordered  to  fall  back  gradually,  so  as  to  entice  us  into 
the  open  fields,  where  their  artillery  could  play  with  eifect. 
Our  generals  in  front  seeing  the  intention,  halted  their  forces  in 
the  edge  of  the  timber,  and  consulting  with  Magruder,  ex- 
plained the  true  posture  of  afiairs.  It  was  evident  the  enemy 
would  not  trust  their  infantry ;  and  for  us  to  succeed  with  them 
it  was  absolutely  necessary  for  a  heavy  force  of  artillery  to 
move  up  and  cover  any  further  advance.  . 

It  was  now  past  four  P.M.,  and  if  any  thing  was  to  be  attempt- 
ed the  work  must  be  quick  and  desperate !  The  artillery  could 
not  get  up  in  time ;  hence,  trusting  to  the  impetuous  valor  of 
his  troops,  Magruder  insisted  upon  charging  the  position,  no 
matter  what  might  be  the  cost !  Cobb  and  others  endeavored 
to  explain,  and  invited  Magruder  to  visit  the  scene!  There 
was  a  run  of  more  than  six  hundred  yards  up'a  rising  ground, 
an  unbroken  flat  beyond  of  several  hundred  yards,  one  hun- 
dred pieces  of  cannon  behind  breastworks,  and  heavy  masses 
of  infantry  in  support !  Arguments  were  unavailing — Magru- 
der was  General,  and  ordered  it — he  was  the  only  one  responsi- 
ble !  Let  the  men  advance  and  charge !  Was  he  tipsy  ?  I 
know  not,  though  common  report  avows  he  was ;  and  passing? 
I  wondered  whether  he  had  returned  to  his  old  habits  at  such 
an  important  moment,  to  frustrate  all  our  designs  by  passion  and 
intoxication !  Hundreds  are  willing  to  swear  that  he  was  unfit 
to  command  on  that  day,  and  complaints  were  afterwards  made 
to  the  War  Department  regarding  him.  But  to  the  battle. 

Cobb  was  unwilling  to  slaughter  his  brigade,  and  told  Ma- 
gruder so,  but  added :  "  If  you  command  me  to  go,  I  will 
charge  until  my  last  man  falls  I"  He  was  commanded.  Gath- 
ering his  devoted  Georgians  and  Louisianians  around  him,  he 


374  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

explained  the  situation,  and  moved  forward,  with  the  promise 
of  ample  reenforcements.  On  the  edge  of  the  timber  Cobb 
was  exhausted,  and  gave  over  the  command  to  Colonel  Nor- 
man, of  the  Second  Louisiana.  Creeping  through  the  woods 
as  far  as  practicable,  Norman  deployed  the  brigade  in  open 
ground,  and  rushed  up  to  the  plateau  at  the  "  double-quick." 
Directly  this  gallant  command  arrived  in  full  view,  a  flash  o± 
light  gleamed  from  the  woods  and  hill  in  front,  belching  forth 
shell,  canister,  and  grape  in  their  midst ;  and  the  aim  being 
accurate,  scores  of  our  men  fell  at  every  discharge.  Heroically 
riding  to  the  front,  the  intrepid  Norman  coolly  gave  commands 
in  a  clear,  calm  voice ;  his  devoted  companions  closing  up  theii 
shattered  ranks,  advanced  with  yells  of  defiance,  and  undei 
the  storm  of  fifty  pieces,  and  thousands  of  rifles  to  their  rear, 
young  Norman  advanced  with  colors  flying  to  within  a  hun- 
dred yards  of  the  guns,  and  there  halted.  With  clothes  all 
tattered,  hatless,  sabre  in  hand," this  heroic  Louisianian  turned 
in  his  saddle,  ordered  his  men  to  lie  down,  and  anxiously 
looked  back  for  the  promised  reenforcements.  Woods  to  his 
rear,  dark  and  silent,  gave  no  sign  of  their  approach ;  yet 
singly  and  alone,  before  heaven  and  earth,  this  man  of  steel 
held  the  ground,  and  though  his  command  was  momentarily 
wasting  like  snow,  encouraged  his  veterans,  re-formed  the  line, 
and  yelled  defiance  at  the  masses  of  infantry  who  hovered 
near,  but  dared  not  approach.  For  more  than  twenty  minutes 
Norman  held  his  ground  ;  but  finding  half  the  command  lying 
dead,  he  gathered  all  that  remained  in  compact  order,  and  filed 
obliquely  to  the  woods.  But  here  he  breathed  his  last.  The 
Federals  had  sent  through  the  timber  a  brigade  to  cut  off  his 
retreat.  Our  men,  exasperated  by  their  losses,  gave  a  loud 
shout,  and  assailed  them  with  such  fury,  that  they  broke  and 
fled  after  a  fight  of  ten  minutes,  leaving  the  remnant  of  this 
command  to  retire  to  the  rear,  to  mourn  the  loss  of  hundreds, 
who,  like  Norman,  fell,  sabre  in  hand,  with  their  face  to  the 
enemy. 

Wright's  brigade  was  also  sent  forward,  but  met  with  a 
similar  fate.  It  seemed  as  if  Magruder  was  intent  on  killing 
his  men  by  detachments,  for  there  seemed  to  be  no  settled 
plan  of  action ;  and  instead  of  rapidly  pushing  forward  re- 
enforcements  to  succor  those  in  front,  the  unfortunate  com- 


'    FOLLY  OP  MAGRUDEB.  375 

manders  were  compelled  to  stand  before  the  enemy's  pieces, 
without  support,  until  decimated,  and  then  retire  as  formerly. 
Several  brigades  at  different  times  were  hurled  against  this 
position,  but  with  like  success.  Some  advanced  farther  than 
others,  and  our  dead  were  numerous  under  the  cannon's 
mouth ;  but  after  running  for  a  mile  under  a  murderous  fire, 
they  lacked  the  strength  to  climb  breastworks  in  the  face  ot 
masses  of  the  enemy.  The  Mississippi  and  some  other  brigades 
actually  drove  the  enemy  from  the  guns ;  but  they  were  met 
by  overwhelming  numbers,  who  had  rested  all  day  in  the 
shade,  and  had  not  been  subjected  to  many  hours'  hard  march- 
ing and  fighting.  To  add  to  the  horrors  of  the  scene,  and  the 
immense  slaughter  in  front  of  this  tremendous  battery,  the 
gunboats  increased  the  rapidity  of  their  broadsides,  and  the 
immense  missiles  coursed  through  the  air  with  great  noise, 
tearing  off  the  tree-tops  and  bursting  with  loud  explosions. 

It  was  now  dark,  and  little  could  be  done.  We  were 
gradually  approaching  McClellan's  wings,  and  he  considered 
it  expedient  to  retire  his  infantry,  leaving  the  work  to  be 
done  by  his  artillery.  By  this  time  several  of  our  pieces 
had  been  moved  up  to  the*  front,  and  two  companies  of  the 
"Washington  Artillery  did  great  service  in  silencing  some  of 
the  enemy's  guns.  Why  those  companies  were  not  ordered  up 
before,  to  cover  our  attack,  may  be  explained^  perhaps,  by 
some  future  historian.  All  I  know  is,  that  curses  were  on 
every  lip  against  Magruder,  and  frQm  men  whose  position 
warrants  me  in  thinking  they  had  solid  reasons  for  their 
angry  vituperation.  All  I  dare  say  now  is,  that  I  never 
heard  a  mortal  man  so  despised  and  execrated  among  all 
classes  of  military  men ;  and  when  the  amount  of  carnage  is 
considered,  of  which  he  was  the  occasion,  it  would  seem  ;that 
their  violent  language  was  excusable,  for  under  those  guns 
lay  dead,  that  night,  hundreds  of  the  best  and  worthiest  men 
the  South  ever  produced  —  a  bleeding,  mangled  monument, 
illustrative  of  the  ignorance,  stupidity,  or  drunkenness  of  one 
petted  and  flattered  for  talents  he  seldom  exhibits. 

As  soon  as  darkness  permitted,  the  enemy  silently  retreated 
from  their  position,  and  it  was  well  they  did  so,  for  troops 
were  gradually  encircling,  and  would  have  captured  them. 


376  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

ere  the  rising  of  the  sun.  Still  eager  for  fight,  our  advance 
crept  closer  and  closer,  and  during  the  night  .made  a  rush  upon 
their  infantry,  and  took  the  place,  together  with  many  prison- 
ers, small  arms,  and  several  guns ;  but  it  must  be  admitted 
that  the  great  mass  of  their  forces  had  silently  withdrawn 
into  the  swamp,  none  knew  whither.  Such  a  spectacle  as 
the  scene  presented  on  this  memorable  hill  none  who  saw  it 
,  will  ever  forget.  The  dead,  wounded,  and  dying  of  all  regi- 
ments were  scattered  about  in  mangled  heaps,  for  more  than 
a  mile,  while  around  and  underneath  the  guns,  majors,  cap- 
tains, colonels,  and  dozens  of  our  men  were  seen  just  as  they 
had  fallen,  sabre  in  hand,  and  with  face  to  the  enemy  !  Many 
were  headless  —  the  swords  of  some  broken  ;  and  leaning 
over  one  of  the  captured  pieces  was  a  young  officer,  who,  I 
thought,  was  simply  resting ;  on  closer  inspection  I  found  him 
to  be  lifeless ;  he  had  died  as  he  had  stood,  hatless,  revolver 
and  sword  in  hand!  Truly,  our  loss  at  this  place  was  horri- 
ble; the  best  brigades  in  the  service  —  regiments  which  had 
acquired  historic  fame  —  were  cut  up  unnecessarily,  in  the  at- 
tempt to  carry  the 'place,  unassisted  by  artillery. 

Inside  the  battery  sights  as  ghastly  met  the  view.  The  few 
cannon  which  had  been  brought  up  towards  the  close  of  the 
day,  did  great  execution  among  the  masses  drawn  up  here,  and 
scores  seemed  to  have  fallen  from  the  accuracy  of  our  fire.  A 
wounded  Federal  officer,  whom  I  assisted,  told  me  that  all  that 
was  needed  in  our  first  assault  was  fresh  troops  to  follow  up  the 
movement,  for  on  more  than  one  occasion  the  Federals  rushed 
out  from  the  batteries,  and  could  not  be  induced  to  return.  In 
several  instances,  indeed,  our  troops  got  in  between  the  guns, 
and  had  cleared  them,  but  the  want  of  timely  reenforcements 
defeated  our  plans.  Several  prisoners  said  it  was  downright 
madness  in  our  generals  to  attack  in  the  manner  they  did,  and 
their  gunners  seemed  to  pity  the  immense  sacrifice  to  which  we 
had  been  exposed.  Could  not  Lee  have  assumed  command  at 
this  point  when  things  were  evidently  going  wrong?  Un- 
doubtedly ;  "  but  then,"  say  some,  "  it  would  not  have  been 
'in  form'  to  take  command  from  a  major-general,  and  pretend 
to  instruct  him  on  the  field."  True,  a  general  is  supposed  to 
know  his  business ;  but  no  sane  person  would  argue  that  thou- 


DREADFUL  SLAUGHTER.  377 

sands  of  men  must  be  sacrificed  in  his  experiments  if  he  has  yet 
to  learn  the  art  of  war.  It  is  enough  that  men  volunteer  for 
the  cause,  a"nd  are  willing  to  die,  in  the  legitimate  prosecution 
of  warfare.  I  know  of  no  rule  that  requires  a  commander-in- 
chief  to  remain  quiet,  merely  from  "  professional  delicacy," 
when  subordinates  are  acting  against  the  best  counsel  of  those 
in  front  —  contrary  to  the  knowledge  of  men  who  have 
thoroughly  reconnoitred  the  ground,  and  in  defiance  of  all 
considerations  arising  from  the  strength  of  the  enemy's  posi- 
tion. If  such  is  the  result  of  that  "  professional  delicacy  "  one 
commander  bears  another,  the  sooner  it  is  abolished  the  better 
for  thousands  of  brave  patriots,  who  blindly  believe  that  the 
talents  of  their  commanders  are  commensurate  with  the  position 
they  hold.* 

It  is  true,  Malvern  Hill  was  ours,  but  at  a  cost  which  the 
capture  of  that  formidable  position  could  never  repay ;  for  I  ]/ 
am  certain  thousands  were  unnecessarily  slaughtered,  and  that 
had  the  advance  been  commanded  by  Longstreet,  Jackson,  or 
the  Hills,  not  one  half  the  carnage  would  have  ensued.  Al- 
though Magruder  did  eventually  enter  the  work,  it  added 
nothing  to  his  merit,  but,  if  any  thing,  detracted  from  the  little 
reputation  he  had  gained  at  Bethel,  at  the  expense  of  D.  H. 
Hill.  With  such  a  magnificent  command  as  was  intrusted  to 
him,  Magruder  might  have  rendered  his  name  for  ever  illus- 
trious ;  but  from  the  moment  that  he  commenced  his  advance 

*  It  is  much  more  pleasant  to  praise  than  to  blame  ;  but  truth  and  public  opinion 
demand  that  I  should  speak  of  things  as  they  really  were ;  and  if  my  comments  on 
Magruder's  actions  seem  severe,  I  but  simply  reiterate,  in  a  mild  form,  the  sweep- 
ing denunciation  his  conduct  met  with  at  the  hands  of  thousands  who  were  pres- 
ent and  in  his  command  on  that  and  other  occasions.  Subsequent  to  the  "  week's 
campaign,"  he  was  appointed  chief  in  command  of  the  Trans-Mississippi  Depart- 
ment, comprising  Missouri,  Arkansas,  Louisiana,  (west  of  the  river,)  and  Texas ; 
and  was  on  his  way  thither,  when  an  official  telegram  ordered  him  back  to  Rich- 
mond to  answer  a  charge  of  drunkenness,  etc.,  at  Malvern  Hill.  The  court-martial 
is  said  to  have  fully  acquitted  him,  but  his  command  was  then  and  there  cir- 
cumscribed to  that  part  of  the  Trans-Mississippi  Department  comprised  in  the 
State  of  Texas  alone.  Magruder  soon  began  to  show  signs  of  activity  and  capacity 
in  this  distant  station,  and  after  a  spirited  action  at  Galveston,  seized  the  place, 
took  several  hundred  prisoners,  and  two  or  three  vessels  of  war,  including  the  • 

Harriet  Lane.  Several  Federal  vessels  escaped  from  the  harbor  while  flying  flags 
of  truce !  The  place  was  immediately  fortified,  and  has  not  been  recaptured. 
With  the  people  of  the  South- West,  Magruder  is  a  great  favorite. 


378  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

down  the  railroad  on  Sunday  afternodn  until  this  miserable 
sacrifice  of  life  at  Malvern  Hill,  he  did  naught  but  fume,  and 
fret,  and  quarrel  with  the  best  officers  under  him ;  and  his  com- 
mands were  sometimes  so  contradictory  that  those  of  his  own 
staff  could  not  comprehend  or- deliver  them  intelligibly  to 
brigadiers  or  colonels.  In  a  word,  he  acted  as  a  man  usually 
does  when  Ije  is  out  of  his  proper  sphere.  As  an  engineer  and 
artillerist  there  are  few  to  surpass  him,  but  intrust  " planning" 
to  him,  and  he  fails.  He  can  "  execute  "  with  vigor  what  Lee 
or  Jackson  are  well  fitted  to  plan,  nothing  more. 

When  it  was  discovered  that  McClellan  had  again  retired, 
and  was  in  full  retreat,  Lee  instantly  recommenced  the  advance, 
although  it  rained  in  floods.  But  the  Federals  seemed  to  have 
vanished  once  more  in  this  densely-timbered  swamp.  The  out- 
posts saw  no  signs  of  them,  and  most  of  the  day  was  lost  before 
it  was  ascertained  whither  McClellan  had  fled.  Towards  night 
it  was  discovered  he  had  conducted  his  whole  force  by  a  narrow 
vroad  through  a  thick  swampy  wood,  several  miles  in  extent, 
and  was  safe  under  his  gunboats  at  Harrison's  Landing,  having 
occupied  the  neighboring  hills  and  strongly  fortified  them  1 
Our  advance  to  his  position  could  be  made  but  by  one  road — 
that  which  he  had  traversed — and,  as  it  was  very  narrow  and 
swept  by  numerous  artillery,  pursuit  was  impossible.  Some  of 
our  cavalry,  who  penetrated  several  miles  through  the  swamp, 
captured  a  few  prisoners  in  the  bushes,  and  from  them  we 
learned  the  story  of  their  last  march  and  escape. 

Malvern  Hill  was  ordered  to  be  defended  to  the  last  extrem- 
ity, as  that  position  alone  insured  the  safety  of  the  Federal 
army.  Several  parts  of  the  hill  were  vacated,  when  our  bri- 
gades impetuously  advanced  to  the  assault,  but  observing  that 
single  brigades  were  unsupported,  the  enemy  returned.  All 
were  in  breathless  suspense ;  for  had  we  captured  it  early  in  the 
day,  McClellan's  army  were  in  full  view  retiring  rapidly  to- 
wards the  river,  and  could  be  shelled  at  discretion.  "When 
night  fell,  their  retreat  was  taken  up  in  earnest — our  men'  were 
on  three  sides  of  them — and  the  greatest  quietness  prevailed, 
for  it  was  thought  the  discharge  of  a  single  musket  would  have 
revealed  their  passage  through  the  dense  timber.  Along  this 
narrow  road,  then,  the  whole  army  had  rapidly  retired,  and  as 


FEDERAL   RETREAT.  379 

the  dead  and  wounded  were  an  incunibrance  at  such  a  juncture, 
thousands  were  left  behind  to  the  mercy  of  the  rebels !  Wag- 
ons, stores,  hospitals,  guns^dismounted  and  not — were  unheed- 
ed, and  left  in  great  number;  while  hundreds  of  foot-sore, 
lame,  and  exhausted  men  were  picked  up  in  every  field.  I 
myself  saw  not  less  than  several  squads  of  twenty  or  more 
coming  to  meet  us, when  our  advance  cavalry  approached ;  while 
every  house,  barn,  bush,  or  sheltering  wood,  contained  hundreds 
of  sick  and  wounded.  The  enemy's  march  through  this  nar- 
row lane  is  represented  to  have  been  rapid — regiments  mixed 
with  regiments,  men  of  all  corps  hurried  along  in  great  anxiety, 
ragged,  weary,  dirty,  armed  and  unarmed,  and  perfectly  dis. 
pirited.  They  were  thoroughly  beaten,  and  had  the  retreat 
lasted  but  a  day  or  two  longer,  or  had  we  overtaken  and  en- 
gaged them  in  any  open  space,  they  could  not  have  stood  an 
hour ;  in  fact,  they  were  so  completely  demoralized  that  all 
their  anxiety  was  to  reach  the  river,  towards  which  they  rushed 
in  tremendous  haste.  Nor  were  hundreds  satisfied  when  reach- 
ing the  river ;  for,  forgetful  of  discipline  and  all  things  else  in  a 
desire  to  remove  far  from  danger,  they  seized  the  boats  and 
hurried  to  the  opposite  banks,  or  to  the  various  islands  of  the 
James.  These  latter  were  subsequently  taken  off  by  tHeir  own 
boats,  but  Confederate  detachments  on  the  south  bank  captured 
the  former,  who  were  immediately  sent  to  the  tobacco-ware- 
houses of  Kichmond. 


CHAPTER    XXXYIII. 

• 

Recapitulation  and  "Official"  Review  of  the  "Week's  Campaign "  — Loss  and 
Gain — Scenes  and  Incidents  of  the  Struggle — The  Federal  Army  Massed  round 
the  Heights  of  Berkeley — Night  Attack  by  our  Artillery,  and  Fearful  Destruc- 
tion— Subsequent  Demonstration  of  McClellan — General  Pope  and  other  North- 
ern Commanders  rising  in  Favor. 

WHEN  it  became  known  beyond  all  doubt  that  McClellan 
was  safe,  and  strongly  posted  on  the  river  bluffs  at  Berkeley, 
the  pursuit  was  discontinued,  his  position  being  one  that  was 
peculiarly  well  adapted  for  defence.  This  had  been  proved 
during  the  Eevolution  of  1776,  and  in  the  year  1812,  when 
British  forces  had  occupied  the  same  spot.  Lee,  therefore,  did 
not  seem  at  all  inclined  to  push  matters  to  an  extremity,  but 
disposed  his  divisions  to  prevent  any  advance  of  the  enemy, 
and  to  precipitate  an  engagement  should  they  endeavor  to  leave 
the  position  they  had  gained  and  attempt  to  retreat. 

While  our  army  under  these  circumstances  was  resting,  to 
recover  from  its  recent  fatigue,  business  called  me  from  camp 
to  Richmond.  I  did  not  observe  signs  of  any  jubilation  ovei 
our  series  of  victories ;  business  progressed  as  quietly  as  ever ; 
there  were  neither  speeches,  dinners,  balls,  nor  any  demonstra 
tion  remarkably  indicative  of  joy  or  vanity.  Every  thing  was 
quiet;  people  spoke  of  our  successes  as  matters  which  had 
never  been  once  doubted.  u  Southern  men  were  sure  to  come 
off  victorious  if  engaged  with  any  thing  like  equal  numbers," 
etc. ;  but  all  regretted  the  escape  of  McClellan.  It  was  the  dar- 
ling desire  of  old  gentlemen  that  "  Mac  "  should  be  made  pris- 
oner and  included  in  the  long  list  of  generals,  hundreds  of  regi- 
mental officers,  and  over  seven  thousand  privates  then  in  cus- 
tody. The  churches,  however,  were  well  attended;  prayers 
were  offered  up  in  thanksgiving  for  deliverance  from  danger, 
and  to  avert  the  further  effusion  of  human  blood ;  and  to  judge 
from  the  immense  congregations  that  assembled  for  divine  wor 


VISIT    TO    RICHMOND.  381 

ship,  it  seemed  that  all  were  strongly  impressed  with  sentiments 
of  sincere  thankfulness  to  God. 

The  various  departments  were  as  busy  as  usual,  and  particu- 
larly the  War  Office.  It  seemed  certain,  from  the  general  ac- 
tivity, that  Lee  did  not  contemplate  much  idleness  while  sum- 
mer lasted,  and  that  tactive  operations  would  recommence  im- 
mediately the  army  had  sufficiently  recuperated,  Where  the 
next  blow  would  be  struck,  none  could  imagine.  Yet  officers 
who  knew,  or  thought  they  knew  the  secret,  ominously  winked 
and  nodded,  stroked  their  nose,  and  appeared  very  wise,  or 
desired  to  be  considered  so.  Hospital^  were  scattered  over  the 
entire  town,  and  crowds  of  wounded  men  with  bandaged  heads 
or  arms  strolled  about  the  streets  in  their  patched  and  mud- 
colored  clothes,  while  dandy  clerks  in  departments  donned  fancy 
military  gold-laced  caps,  elevated  their  eyebrows,  and  gazed 
about  them  with  an  air  of  infinite  superiority,  or,  more  properly 
speaking,  of  profound  stupidity !  Trains  bound  for  the  South 
conveyed  hundreds  of  discharged  and  furloughed  men,  who, 
limping,  bandaged,  armless,  or  legless,  seemed  delighted  at  the 
idea  of  seeing  their  homes  once  again ;  while  fond  old  couples 
looked  with  pride  upon  sons  by  their  side  on  crutches,  and 
never  failed  to  answer  inquiries,  by  telling  in  which  battle  they 
were  wounded,  and  remarking  upon  their  gallantry.  In  fact, 
every  parent  thought  his  son  the  hero  of  the  campaign,  and  to 
hear  patriotic  old  ladies  talking  of  the  war,  one  would  be  led 
to  believe  they  w^ould  make  excellent  soldiers 'themselves. 

As  I  have  remarked  on  other  occasions,  there  were  no  bounds 
to  the  volubility  and  enthusiasm  of  the  ladies,  young  and  old, 
and  the  appearance  of  a  wounded  man  entering  the  cars  was 
sure  to  bring  many  to  their  feet  with  a  kind  hand  to  assist  them 
to  the  best  seats.  None  were  allowed  to  dress  or  pour  water 
on  wounds  but  the  ladies,  and  they  would  hang  around  a  poor 
ragged  boy  with  as  much  tenderness  and  show  him  more  kind- 
ness than  if  he  were  Emperor  of  all  the  Eussias.  The  anxiety, 
care,  kindness,  and  unceasing  industry  evinced  by  all  classes  of 
women  for  our  wounded,  in  and  out  of  hospital,  far  surpasses 
any  conception  that  may  be  formed  from  words.  Had  our  men 
been  the  sons,  husbands,  or  brothers  of  those  who  interested 
themselves  in  their  fate,  they  could  not  have  received  more 
kindness  than  they  did  from  women  of  every  rank  and  condi- 


382  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF   THE  SOUTH. 

tion.  Blankets  were  torn  from  their  beds,  flannel  skirts  con- 
verted into  under-clothing,  the  finest  of  linen  torn  up  for  lint, 
wedding  and  other  silk  dresses  cut  up  for  flags,  bandages,  and 
rosettes ;  every  thing,  in  fine,  betrayed  the  unconquerable  spirit 
that  animated  them,  and  when  all  else  was  given  away,  they 
had  kind  words  or  tears  of  sympathy  by  the  bedsides  of  the 
suffering  or  dying  I 

It  is  almost  superfluous  to  say  that  the  anxiety  of  parents  and 
others  arriving  in  the  city  from  distant  parts  was  heart-rending. 
Some  had  been  seeking  sons  or  relatives  for  a  week — hunting 
everywhere  for  the  lost  ones:  some  were  found,  but  many,  alas! 
slept  upon  the  battle-fields ;  and  to  witness  the  affliction  and 
tears  of  many  as  they  searched  hospital  after  hospital,  was 
enough  to  move  the  heart  of  the  most  obdurate.  Ministers 
and  doctors  were  ever  on  the  move,  night  and  day ;  wagon- 
loads  of  captured  ice  were  daily  deposited  at  the  hospitals ; 
while  the  large  amount  of  medicines,  surgical  instruments, 
bandages,  stretchers,  and  ambulances,  left  behind  by  the  Fed- 
erals, greatly  assisted  the  wants  and  comforts  of  our  men. 
Lights  burning  all  night  in  any  dwelling  was  a  sure  sign  of 
some  wounded  inmate ;  crape-streamers  at  doors,  and  a  con- 
tinual movement  of  hearses,  told  that  scores  were  daily  num- 
bered with  the  dead.  Long  lines  of  open  pits  in  suburban 
cemeteries  were  rapidly  filling  up,  and  the  number  of  new-made 
graves  spoke  of  hundreds  of  brave  spirits  slumbering  beneath 
modest  head-boards. 

Strolling  about  one  evening,  after  returning  from  a  game  at 
billiards,  I  heard  a  noise  of  laughter  above  me,  proceeding  from 
one  of  the  rooms  in  the  "  Spottswood,"  and  recognizing  the 
voice  of  Dobbs,  walked  up  and  entered  without  knocking. 
There  were  at  least  ten  persons  crowded  in  one  of  the  small 
rooms,  all  with  their  coats  off,  save  the  old  Major;  they  were 
smoking,  playing  cards,  and  making  much  noise  over  some 
half-dozen  bottles  of  Cognac.  After  much  nodding  and  hand- 
shaking, I  entered  a  quiet  circle  at  the  window,  and,  pipes  being 
the  order  of  the  evening,  my  "sham"  was  soon  glowing  with 
a  charge  of  "  Billy  Bo wlegs'  double  extra,''  and  the  conversa- 
tion became  professional.  Each  had  pet  ideas  regarding  past 
events,  and  criticism  ran  wild  and  incoherent.  One  did  not 
like  this  style  of  doing  things,  and  another  that;  this  general  was 


MILITAKY  GOSSIP.  383 

unmercifully  berated,  and  that  one  extravagantly  praised ;  so 
that,  attentive  as  I  was,  it  was  utterly  impossible  to  arrive  at 
.any  accurate  sense  of  the  prevailing  opinion. 

"I  tell  you,"  said  Dobbs,  after  imbibing  a  large  draught  of 
brandy,  and  priming  himself  for  a  speech,  "  I  tell  you,  gentle- 
men, that  Lee's  plan  surpasses  any  thing  I  have  ever  read  in 
military  history.  Just  look  at  the  entire  arrangement.  When 
our  main  army  fell  back  from  Fredericksburgh,  the  Kappahan- 
nock,  and  Eapidan,  and  went  to  Yorktown  to  meet  McClellan, 
Fredericksburgh  was  threatened  by  a  large  division  under 
McDowell :  Ewell  was  deputed  to  watch  him,  and  did  it  well  ; 
but  -in  the  Valley  there  were  not  less  than  three  army  corps 
coming  up  to  form  a  grand  army  to  advance  on  Richmond 
from  the  west.  Jackson  was  at  Winchester  with  a  small  force, 
and  was  ordered  to  attack  Shields,  (Banks  being  sick,)  so  as  to 
create  a  diversion  in  our  favor.  Although  obliged  to  retire 
after  the  battle  of  Kearnstown,  Jackson  called  on  Ewell,  and} 
receiving  reenforcements  from  him,  suddenly  pounced  down  on 
Banks  at  Front  Eoyal,  and  chased  him  to  Washington,  cap- 
turing immense  quantities  of  baggage  and  thousands  of  prison- 
ers. He  retired  again,  and,  recruited,  rushed  down  the  Valley, 
and  instead  of  allowing  Shields  and  Fremont  to  join  McDowell, 
beat  them  both  in  detail,  and  obliged  McDowell  to  fall  back. 
Retreating  again,  Jackson  begged  for  reenforcements,  and  they 
were  sent.  But  while  the  Federal  commanders  were  planning 
to  entrap  him,  should  he  again  go  to  the  Yalley,  he  made  pre- 
tences of  doing  so,  and  by  forced  marches  swooped  down  upon 
McClellan's  right  and  rear,  before  the  Federals  in  the  Yalley 
could  recover  from  their  astonishment  and  chagrin." 

" True,"  eaid  another,  " it  was  a  master-stroke  of  Lee;  and 
when  Branch  at  Brooke  Bridge  and  Hill  at  Meadow  Bridge 
assailed  in  front,  the  game  was  up  with  their  right  wing,  for 
these,  uncovering  Mechanicsville  Bridge,  allowed  Longstreet 
and  D.  H.  Hill  to  cross  likewise. 

"The  at!ack  of  Ambrose  Hill  was  a  spirited  affair,  and 
beautifully  conducted.*  Jackson  -was  hovering  in  their 

*  Ambrose  P.  Hill  is  a  Virginian ;  graduated  at  West-Point,  and  was  brevet 
Second  Lieutenant,  First  United  States  Artillery,  first  July,  1847,  that  being  the 
time  of  his  entering  the  service.  We  find  him  placed  First  Lieutenant,  First  Artil- 
lery, fourth  September,  1851.  He  was  among  the  first  officers  who  left  the  old 


.384  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

rear,*  and  Branch  fighting  his  way  in  our  centre,  so  that  before 
sucn  a  force  they  were  obliged  to  fall  back.  Their  defence  of 
Mechanicsville,  Ellison's  Mills,  and  Beaver  Dam  Creek  deserves 
credit,  for  had  our  men  been  less  impetuous,  we  should  have 
found  every  avenue  to  Gaines's  Mills  much  more  strongly 
fortified  than  we  did.  Think  you  the  Federals  dreamed  of 
such  a  daring  attack?" 

"  It  would  seem  they  had  notions  of  moving,  or  their  stores 
would  not  have  been  destroyed  a  week  beforehand.  Troops 
from  all  the  States  did  well,  but  I  think  Louisiana,  Mississippi, 
and  Alabama  lost  more  than  any  others  up  to  Sunday  night. 
The  Texans  at  Gaines's  Mill  immortalized  themselves ;  rushing 
across  that  wide  expanse  of  open  ground  and  capturing  the 
guns  surprised  all.f  General  Lee  is  loud  in  praise  of  their 

army  and  offered  their  services  to  the  South,  and  was  always  looked  upon  as  a 
"promising  "  officer  ;  the  part  he  has  played  in  the  present  struggle  for  independ- 
ence stamps  him  as  a  young  man  of  real  genius.  He  greatly  distinguished  himself 
at  "  Manassas,"  twenty-first  July,  "  Mechanicsville,"  "  Gaines's  Mills,"  etc.  He  is 
now  a  Major-General. 

;*  JACKSON  DID  IT. — "  It  is  very  easy,  now  that  the  affair  is  over,  to  perceive  the 
;ause  of  McClellan's  recent  reverse.  At  the  last  moment,  when  least  expected,  arid 
equally  to  the  surprise,  we  have  no  doubt,  of  President  Lincoln,  Secretary  Stantont 
and  General  McClellan  himself,  Stonewall  Jackson  rushed  from  the  Valley  of  the 
Shenandoah,  attacked  our  right  wing,  forced  it  back,  and  got  in  rear  of  our  whole 
army,  without  weakening  the  rebel  force  massed  in  front  of  it  by  a  single  man. 
No  general  on  earth  could  make  head  against  such  a  coup  de  guerre.  If  McClellan 
had  stood  his  ground  and  fought  hi  such  a  position,  nothing  in  the  world  could 
have  prevented  the  utter  annihilation  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac." — NeK-£agJs 
Paper. 

f  A  Texan  soldier  writes  of  this  charge :  "  A  splendid  battery  of  thirteen  guns, 
manned  by  regulars,  was  just  beyond,  belching  forth  destruction,  and  it  seemed 
almost  like  certain  death  to  venture  upon  the  brow  of  the  hill ;  but  these  were 
Texans.  The  most  extraordinary  fact  about  it  was,  that  this  terrible  battle  was 
being  fought  without  any  directions  from  officers  on  our  side.  We  had  lost  all  oHr 
field  officers  before  we  got  to  the  first  battery  —  the  lieutenant-colonel  mortally 
wounded,  since  dead ;  the  major  badly  wounded,  since  dead ;  and  many  of  the  line 
officers  killed  or  wounded.  When  I  got  to  the  top  of  that  hill,  I  was  almost  com- 
pletely exhausted,  but  as  I  got^a  breath,  there  I  was,  able  and  ready  to  go  on  when 
the  word  was  given.  The  men  had  been  firing  from  the  brow  of  the  hill,  and  had 
shot  down  many  of  the  artillerymen  and  so  many  of  their  horses  that  they  could 
not  get  their  guns  away.  They  stood  to  their  guns  well,  only  running  when  they 
could  do  nothing  else.  We  pushed  forward,  and  placed  our  colors  upon  the  battery, 
but  as  the  enemy  were  still  firing  upon  us,  we  commenced  firing  in  return.  Pretty 
soon  a  strong  force  opened  fire  upon  our  left,  and  changing  our  front  in  that  direc- 
tion, we  poured  in  a  heavy  fire,  which  soon  brought  them  to  taw,  as  the  greater 


I 


FEDERAL  LOSS.  385 

gallantry.  Hood,  who  commanded  them,  put  himself  at  the 
head  of  his  old  regiment,  and  with  a  '  Come  on,  boys ! '  led 
them  on  right  gallantly.  He  is  now  a  '  full '  general,  I  believe, 
and  his  skill  and  valor  deserve  it" 

"I cannot  comprehend,"  said  another,  "how  it  was  that 
we  lost  so  few,  compared  with  the  fearful  carnage  of  the 
enemy." 

"  It  would  seem  that '  quick '  work  suits  us.  Our  lines  were 
not  so  full  as  theirs,  nor  were  reenforcements  massed  in  our 
rear,  and  under  fire,  as  with  them.  When  the  enemy  fired  it 
was  wildly ;  our  men  were  cooler,  and  understood  the  use  of 
weapons  better,  so  that  their  shots  all  told,  and  sometimes  hit 
double,  passing  through  and  through,  whenever  we  came  in 
view  of  regiments  drawn  up  behind  each  other ;  and  if  we  did 
overshoot  at  any  time,  such  shots  told  in  the  rear." 

"I  cannot  see  'how  our  men  could  miss  them,  wedged  as 
they  were  in  a  corner  of  the  field  when  retreating  by  that 
single  road ;  if  more  artillery  had  been  present,  the  carnage 
among  them  would  have  been  fearful.  How  did  it  happen 
that  our  pieces  were  not  up  sooner,  Robins?"  addressing  an 
artillery  officer. 

"We  were  up  in  time,  but  not  called  upon.  I  think  the 
artillery  have  reason  to  complain  of  you  infantry,  in  taking 
up  all  the  business,  and  not  allowing  us  an  opportunity. 
Did  you  ever  hear  what  Featherstone  said  of  us?  At  Bea- 
ver Dam  Creek,  there  were  twelve  pieces  playing  against  twice 
as  many  of  the  enemy,  and  Featherstone,  commanding,  anx- 
iously watched  us,  to  cover  his  infantry.  "We  fired  very  ac- 
curately and  deliberately,  our  shot  and  shell  chipping  their 
embrasures  in  beautiful  style,  and  slicing  off  the  parapets  in 
large  cakes,  rapidly  silencing  their  pieces.  Featherstone  was 

part  of  two  regiments  threw  down  their  arms,  and  ran  to  us,  bringing  their  colors. 
Having  delivered  them  over  to  another  brigade,  we  pressed  on  in  front,  and  drove 
the  last  Yankee  from  the  field.  As  night  was  coming  on,  we  were  halted,  and 
drawn  up  iri*  line  of  battle.  It  was  indeed  a  sad  eight  to  look  at  the  old  regiment, 
a  mere  squad  of  noble  men,  gathered  around  their  tattered  colors.  I  could  not 
realize  that  this  little  band  of  fifty  or  sixty  men  was  the  Fourth  Texas.  But  it  wag 
even  so.  Out  of  five  hundred  and  thirty  men  who  went  into  the  fight,  there  were 
two  hundred  and  fifty-six  killed,  wounded,  or  missing ;  while  many  were  completely 
broken  down,  and  nearly  every  one  was  stnick  or  grazed.  We  staid  here  all 
night  without  interruption,  being  heavily  reenforced  during  the  night." 
25 


386  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

in  raptures,  and  exclaimed :  '  By  Jupiter,  that  beats  all !  Just 
look  at  our  boys  tumbling  the  breastworks  about  !  Who 
would  ever  believe  it  of  raw  volunteers  ?  Why,  sir,  the 
'  regulars '  could  not  beat  them !  Gentlemen,  I  must  confess,  I 
entertained  poor  opinions  of  our  artillery  till  now,  and  looked 
upon  them  as  fit  for  little  else  but  to  waste  ammunition,  but 
the  manner  in  which  they  fought  and  defeated  Porter's  '  regu- 
lars,' convinces  me  that  we  are  a  superior  stock  altogether.' 
Highly  complimentary,  wasn't  it?  The  boys  deserved  such 
praise,  for  the  constancy  with  which  they  served  their  pieces 
on  all  occasions  was  astonishing,  particularly  as  two  thirds  of 
them  were  never  under  fire  before.  Had  we  remained  station- 
ary, our  loss  must  have  proved  very  heavy,  for  the  enemy 
were  very  expert  in  getting  the  range.  The  first  company  that 
crossed  at  Meadow  Bridge  was  fearfully  cut  up.  When  the 
pickets  were  driven  from  the  bridge,  our  four  pieces  galloped 
across  very  gallantly,  under  a  galling  fire  from  great  odds,  and 
they  held  their  ground^  nobly.  Bushing  up  the  road,  they 
took  up  position  on  a  knoll,  and  the  rapidity  with  which  those 
pieces  were  served  astonished  every  one.  By  the  way,  you 
have  observed  Lee's  system  of  'reliefs'  on  the  march,  or  in 
battle?" 

"  Yes,  and  an  excellent  one  it  is.  It  is  neither  right  nor  fair 
that  one  division  or  brigade  be  always  kept  in  front ;  but  when 
fatigued  it  should  be  relieved  by  another.  Our  numbers  never 
permitted  this  system  before,  nor  did  it  ever  attract  my  atten- 
ticfn  until  '  Seven  Pines,'  and  there  I  could  not  but  admire  its 
utility.  When  a  regiment  had  been  some  time  under  fire  and 
was  exhausted,  another  moved  up,  and  maintained  the  vigor 
of  attack,  while  the  first  remained  at  supporting  distance  as  a 
reserve.  The  same  rule  was  adopted  with  brigades,  so  that  our 
advance  never  slackened  its  impetuosity.  This  was  also  prac- 
tised at  Gaines's  Mills  and  elsewhere,  when  practicable,  and 
with  marked  effect.  The  Federals  seemed  to  follow  the  same 
plan,  but  where  the  multitude  of  their  regiments  came  from,  is 
a  mystery — there  seemed  to  be  no  end  of  them." 

"To  be  candid,"  remarked  one,  very  modestly,  "I  always 
entertained  an  idea,  until  this  present  war,  that  men  were 
drawn  out  in  a  parallel  line,  and  had  to  settle  the  business 


LEE'S  TACTICS.  387 

without  shifting  about  so  much  as  Lee  seems  to  desire.  A 
brigade  or  division  is  thrown  forward,  and  after  attacking  until 
exhausted,  another  seems  to  take  its  place  in  some  way  incom- 
prehensible to  me ;  while  the  first  is  allowed  to  rest  awhile, 
and  than  rushes  forward  again  in  some  other  direction,  appar- 
ently as  fresh  as  ever.  Our  brigade,  I  think,  was  moved  about 
a  dozen  times  at  Gaines's  Mills,  but  always  had  enough  to  do. 
It  is  impossible,  however,  for  one  in  the  ranks,  or  even  a  briga- 
dier, to  read  the  plans  of  a  chief;  all  they  know  is  their  'or- 
ders.' They  are  formed,  and  move  forward  or  backward; 
fight,  advance,  fall  back,  advance  again,  and  often  find  them- 
selves at  right  angles  with  their  first  position.  I  suppose  it  is 
all  right,  and  none  of  our  business  to  inquire ;  but  if  fighting 
could  be  accomplished  with  fewer  movements,  it  would  please 
me  infinitely  more." 

"  That's  the  beauty,  of  it !"  said  Dobbs,  delighted.  "  That 
shows  the  brilliancy  of  a  general's  strategic  genius.  As  you 
say,  during  the  heat  of  battle,  few  except  those  in  charge  of 
the  wings  or  reserves,  can  conceive  any  true  notion  of  what  is 
intended  or  transpiring.  On  the  open  plains  of  Europe,  the 
field  of  action  could  be  seen  at  a  glance  —  but  in  such  a  varied 
country  as  ours,  where  most  of  the  fighting  is  done  in  timber, 
it  is  impossible  for  any  but  a  few  to  form  an  accurate  notion  of 
what  is  passing.  I  was  talking  with  the  aeronaut  who  ascend- 
ed in  our  balloon  during  the  week,  and  although  several  thou- 
sand feet  above  our  battle-fields,  and  provided  with  powerful 
glasses,  he  was  unaMe  to  .ascertain  any  thing  with  precision. 
All  he  saw  was  smoking  woods,  the  flash  of  guns,  and  columns 
of  men  hurrying  to  and  fro,  along  dusty  roads  and  lanes,  for 
the  clouds  of  smoke*  and  dust  enveloping  the  scene  were  so 
dense  that  all  seemed  wrapped  in  mystery.  He  plainly  dis- 
cerned McClellan's  line  of  retreat,  however,  and  made  Lee  ac- 
quainted with  it ;  but  when  the  Federals  took  to  the  swamps, 
and  through  the  woods,  all  was  obscurity  again." 

"  Nevertheless,  Federal  balloonists  have  furnished  their  gen- 
erals and  journals  with  accurate  maps  of  our  position,  but  these 
were  taken  long  before  fighting  commenced.  But  do  you  not 
think  we  might  have  done  something  on  Saturday,  and  pushed 
the  enemy  more  vigorously  when  on  the  north  bank  ?" 


388  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

"  True,  it  seems  that  a  whole  day  was  lost,  but  then  their 
fortified  camps  were  in  commanding  positions,  and  I  know  not 
whether  they  were  there  on  that  day.  I  incline  to  the  belief  that 
they  retreated  on  Friday  night,  and  only  maintained  appear- 
ances during  Saturday.  It  is  certain  that  Magruder  and  Huger 
on  the  south  bank  were  very  slow,  and  were  reprehensible  for 
allowing  so  large  a  force  to  pass  across  their  front,  when  pick- 
ets discovered  their  retreat  on  Saturday  night." 

"  The  enemy  may  boastingly  talk  of  '  skedaddling,'  but  if  the 
rear-guard  did  not  hasten  their  movements  down  the  railroad 
on  Sunday  afternoon,  I'm  no  judge  of  running!  It  must  have 
been  a  great  mortification  to  the  valiant  Sickles  to  let  all  his 
beautiful  silverware  and  private  papers  fall  into  our  hands  at 
*  Savage  Station.1 " 

"Yes,  and  it  must  have  delighted  our  railroad  directors, 
when  cavalry  brought  the  news  that  they  had  left  behind  sev- 
eral magnificent  locomotives  just  fresh  from  the  maker's  hands ! 
"When  the  railroad  was  cleared,  a  train  was  sent  down,  and  two 
fine  engines  were  discovered  on  the  bridge  with  steam  up,  and 
the  bridge  on  fire!  They  got  the  locomotives  off,  and  the 
bridge  was  saved  after  some  labor.  Many  cars  were  also  found, 
up  and  down  the  track,  all  Ipaded,  and  apparently  waiting  for 
engines.  Our  advance  had  been  too  rapid,  however,  and  the 
men  were  but  too  glad  to  escape  with  their  lives." 

"  Poor  old  Casey  got  into  disgrace  again,  I  hear.  He  was  in 
rear  of  their  lines,  and  ordered  to  look  after  the  hospitals  and 
depots,  but  had  not  time  to  destroy  them,  so  decamped,  leaving 
many  sick  and  wounded  behind." 

"  But  of  all  the  fighting  I  think  that  at  Frazier's  Farm  was 
the  most  desperate,"  said  Dobbs,  drinking  again,  and  getting 
steam  up. 

"  Oh !  you  simply  think  so,  Major,"  said  some  one,  laughing, 
"because  hard  marched  and  fatigued  when  you  arrived  there." 

"  Think  so?"  answered  Dobbs  indignantly.  " But  I  know  so. 
Just  fancy,  travelling  over  twenty-five  miles  along  sandy,  dusty 
roads,  under  a  July  sun,  and  coming  up  with  the  enemy  about 
sundown,  and  they  formed  on  a  rising  ground  ready  for  busi- 
ness ?  Had  I  been  Hill,  I  should  have  deferred  matters  until 
morning." 

"Yes,  and  in  the  morning  they  would  have  vanished." 


BATTLE  OF  FRAZIEE'S  FARM.  389 

"  Well,  it  was  as  well  as  it  was,"  continued  Dobbs.  "  "We 
gave  them  a  sound  thrashing,  but  the  villains  fought  obstinately 
enough,  goodness  knows !  The  position,  as  you  know,  was  as- 
sailable only  on  one  side,  and  as  the  road  was  an  ascent,  their 
artillery  ploughed  our  advance  unmercifully.  The  column  was 
deployed  without  serious  loss,  however,  but  as  we  advanced 
through  the  timber  the  Federals  met  us  at  every  turn,  and  for 
some  time  it  was  '  nip  and  tuck '  with  us,  I  can  assure  you. 
'  Forward '  was  the  word  continually  ringing  in  our  ears,  and  as 
we  advanced  up  the  '  rise '  and  through  the  woods  towards  their 
camps  in  the  open  fields,  the  enemy  made  several  desperate  at- 
tempts to  turn  our  flanks,  but  without  success.  I  never  saw 
troop's  behave  better  than  ours;  nor  did  they  yield  an  inch 
from  any  captured  position,  though  assailed  again  and  again  by 
reenforcements.  Those  immediately  in  front,  however,  had 
much  greater  difficulty  in  advancing,  for  they  were  exposed  to 
the  full  fire  of  batteries.  How  they  escaped  annihilation  is  a 
mystery.  Wilcbx,  Featherstone,  and  Pryor  did  wonders,  as 
usual,  but  their  comhiands  were  sorely  thinned  by  grape-shot, 
and  many  promising  officers  lost  their  lives  there.  The  enemy's 
guns  were  not  captured  without  a  tremendous  struggle;  for 
since  none  of  our  pieces  were  on  the  ground,  the  fight  on  our 
side  was  maintained  with  infantry  only.  Advancing  through 
those  thick-growing  pines  was  no  joke  for  a  corpulent  fellow 
like  me;  and  it  required  some  squeezing  occasionally,  which 
was  not  very  comfortable  with  the  enemy  in  line  before  you, 
firing  showers  of  shot.  Thank  goodness !  I  escaped  with  a  sin- 
gle scratch,  for  which  I  cleaved  the  skull  of  the  Yankee  who 
gave  it  me." 

"  It  would  not  have  proved  so  desperate  and  unequal  had 
Huger  cooperated." 

"  Oh !  yes,  had  he  done  so !  but  who  ever  expects  fast  move- 
ments from  him  f  Had  any  of  our  divisions  been  within  sup- 
porting distance  we  should  have  suffered  less,  but  Magruder  was 
at  least  five  miles  behind,  and  to  attempt  '  double-quick '  move- 
ments along  such  roads,  and  through  the  timber  at  such  a  time 
of  night,  was  impossible,  for  his  men  had  teen  travelling  all  day 
also,  and  were  perfectly  exhausted.  They  did  not  arrive  upon 
the  ground  until  all  was  over^  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  in- 


390  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

vincible  spirit  of  Hill,  the  field  and  booty  would  never  have 
been  ours.  When  we  had  driven  the  enemy  from  the  ground, 
about  eigKt  P.M.,  after  over  two  hours  of  severe  fighting,  all  sup- 
posed the  affair  was  over,  but  as  we  continued  to  advance,  about 
half-past  nine  P.M.,  such  a  terrific  fire  opened  upon  us  that  I 
thought  the  world  was  coming  to  .an  end.  It  was  a  fresh  army 
corps  sent  against  us !  Such  an  apparition  would  have  dis- 
heartened any  one  but  Hill.  He,  seeing  how  matters  stood,  and 
that  they  were  ^determined  to  attempt  a  capture  of  the  field  and 
spoils  of  war,  gradually  gave  ground — no  hurry,  no  confusion — 
and  as  his  men  deployed,  sent  to  the  rear  for  succor.  That 
was  a  trying  moment,  my  boys !  Tired,  perfectly  exhaustedj 
and  ready  to  faint  from  fatigue  and  long  fighting,  there  we 
were,  a  few  shattered  regiments  of  the  advance,  assailed  at  ten 
P.M.  by  an  entire  corps!  On  the  enemy  came,  cheering,  and  mak- 
ing night  hideous  with  their  noises ;  they  fired,  but  we  lay  low, 
and,  discovering  their  position,  poured  into  them  such  accurate 
volleys  that  they  slackened  pace.  Bidding  us  hold  the  ground 
a  little  while,  Hill  went  to  the  rear,  but  no  reenforcements  had 
arrived ;  so,  cheering  on  the  remnants  of  some  few  brigades,  he 
moved  them  up  at  the  '  double-quick,'  and  they  advanced  with 
such  loud  shouts,  and  with  so  much  apparent  freshness,  that  the 
enemy,  imagining  reenforcements  had  reached  us,  declined  to 
prolong  the  engagement,  and  left  us  masters  of  this  second 
field." 

"  Yes,  it  was  a  brilliant  affair,"  said  Eobins.  "  I  was  present, 
but  our  guns  could  not  be  brought  into  position.  Considering 
the  strong  position  of  the  enemy  and  the  failure  of  Huger  to 
arrive  in  time,  it  seems  wonderful  that  Hill  should  have  shown 
so  much  hardihood  in  attacking,  and  displayed  such  brilliant 
tact  under  adverse  circumstances.  It  is  evident  McClellan  felt 
sore  about  his  defeat  by  a  single  weak  division  of  ours,  or  he 
would  not  have  hurried  forward  fresh  masses  to  recover  the 
ground.  I  know  not  how  many  guns  fell  into  our  hands,  but 
counted  six  in  one  field,  together  with  well-filled  caissons,  many 
prisoners,  and  small  arms.  It  is  a  pity  the  advance  did  not 
fall  on  Hill  when  we,  attacked  Malvern  Hill,  for  I  am  sure  our 
loss  would  not  have  proved  so  great." 

'"Yes,"  said  Dobbs,  "I  am  glad  our  brigade  was  not  called 


CONFEDERATE   ARTILLERY.  391 

upon,  for  we  were  too  much  weakened  to  have  accomplished 
much ;  but  from  general  report  I  should  judge  it  was  a  very 
much  mismanaged  affair.  Those  who  were  engaged  are  furious 
against  Magruder,  and  it  is  currently  said  in  camp  that  respon- 
sible men  have  reported  him  to  head-quarters  for  drunkenness 
and  total  incapacity  upon  the  field.  I  know  not  the  truth  or 
falsehood  of  the  rumor,  but  it  seems  to  be  generally  agreed 
that,  although  he  commanded  the  finest  troops  in  the  service, 
he  has  accomplished  less  than  any  other  general.  The  scene 
around  Malvern  Hill  was  awful.  Battle-fields  are  sickening 
spectacles ;  but  that  one  was  terrible.  All  the  woods  for  miles 
around  are  disfigured  by  the  enemy's  shot  and  she}! ;  and  as  for 
iron  bolts,  thrown  by  the  gunboats,  I  saw  several  to-day,  each  of 
them  being  about  four  inches  in  diameter  and  eighteen  inches 
long.  Those  are  fearful  things  to  throw  at  the  heads  of  re- 
spectable men  of  family  like  myself.  If  Yankee  compliments 
are  to  be  judged  of  by  their' length  and  weight,  our  enemies 
are  the  most  villainously  polite  race  of  hypocrites  on  the  globe ; 
and  glad  am  I  we  have  solemnly  foresworn  for  ever  all  fellow- 
ship or  communion  with  them." 

"I  am  sorry,  Robins,  the  artillery  had  not  fitting  opportu- 
nities, for  I  am  enthusiastic  in  their  favor,"  said  Frank,  "and 
think  them  more  than  £  match  for  the  Federals  at  any  time." 

"  Thanks  for  the  compliment.  I  am  glad  we  find  favor  in 
some  quarters ;  for  since  the  late  fights  every  body  has  been 
cursing  the  artillery  for  not  getting  up  in  time  to  participate 
in  the  engagement,  when  in  fact  it  was  an  impossibility." 

"  Of  course  it  was,"  chimed  in  Dobbs.  "No  artillery  in  the 
world  could  pretend  to  keep  pace  with  infantry  over  such  a 
rough  country.  Why,  sir,  the  roughest  lanes  in  Europe  far 
surpass  our  best  roads  here ;  for,  ever  since  the  war  began,  I 
have  seen  but  one  macadamized  road  in  Virginia,  and  that  was 
only  thirty  miles  long ;  all  the  rest  are  common  dirt  or  sand 
roads,  over  which  it  is  almost  impossible  to  travel.  What  ar- 
tillety  in  the  world  could  have  advanced  the  morning  after 
Malvern  Hill  ?  Rain  poured  in  torrents,  and  cavalrymen  could 
scarcely  force  their  horses  into  a  fast  walk  through  the  immense 
quantities  of  mud ;  as  for  the  infantry,  they  manfully  trudged 
along,  knee-deep  in  mire.  In  Europe  warfare  is  carried  on 
differently.  It  usually  happens  there  that  the  combatants  meet 


3§2  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

in  large  plains,  like  Marengo,  Austerlitz,  "Waterloo,  and  other 
places  I  have  visited ;  and  had  it  so  chanced  that  our  engage- 
ments were  fought  in  such  places,  the  war  would  have  been 
long  since  decided.  Our  artillery  are  certainly  not  .to  blame 
for  being  behind  time ;  the  infantry  marched  too  fast,  and  were 
hurried  forward  at  the  rate  of  thirty  miles  a  day/  Our  youth 
seem  predisposed  in  favor  of  artillery  service;  at  one  time 
nothing  else  was  thought  of  in  the  whole  South  but  artillery ! 
artillery  I" 

"That  spirit,"  said  Eobins,  "was  infused  by  the  early  ex- 
ploits of  the  Washington  Artillery  Corps,  Kemper's  battery, 
and  other,  organizations ;  and  I  must  confess  the  efficiency  of 
volunteers  in  that  arm  is  surprising.  Kemper's  battery  and 
the  New-Orleans  Artillery  never  fired  other  than  blank  cart- 
ridges before  Bull  Eun  and  Manassas ;  yet  such  was  their  pre- 
cision that  the  enemy  frequently  withdrew  disabled  and  hum- 
bled— I  mean  the  Federal  '  regulars.'  I  cannot  help  thinking 
that  the  enthusiasm  and  '  pluck '  of  our  boys  have  much  to  do 
with  it.  Being  accustomed  to  arms  from  infancy,  they  are  ex- 
cellent judges  of  distance,  and  will  travel  all  day  to  witness 
fine  shooting.  The  first  shots  fired  by  Kemper  at  Bull  Eun 
completely  smashed  up  Porter's  artillery,  and  threw  their  re- 
serves into  utter  confusion.  Besides,  those  in  artillery  service 
are  young,  active,  wiry  fellows,  and  jump  about  the  pieces  with 
the  suppleness  of  cats,  dragging  their  guns  about  by  hand  as 
if  they  were  playthings.  It  is  my  opinion  that  the  artillery 
branch  of  our  '  regular '  service  will  surpass  the  world  in  effi- 
ciency." 

"  Did  you  observe  how  gaily  Major  Walton  brought  six  of 
his  pieces  into  action  towards  the  close  of  Malvern  Hill  ?  The 
trumpets  sounded,  and  off  they  went  to  the  front  as  nimbly  as 
if  they  had  not  marched  many  miles  that  day." 

"Yes,"  said  Eobins.  "I  was  then  about  a  mile  to  the  rear, 
and  it  being  nearly  dark,  could  not  well  distinguish  the  features 
of  those  about  me.  Standing  against  the  side  of  a  deserted 
farm-house,  converted  into  a  field  hospital,  I  saw  an  oldish- look- 
ing man,  dressed  in  a  long  overcoat  and  black  felt  hat  drawn 
over  his  eyes,  who  was  condoling  with  a  grey-haired  citizen 
about  the  loss  of  his  son,  but  spoke  in  low  tones;  and 'I  heard 


INCIDENTS  OF  BATTLE.  393 

him  say.  with  evident  emotion :  '  Yes,  my  friend,  such  is  the 
fortune  of  this  cruel,  unnatural  war,  forced  upon  us  by  North- 
ern fanatics ;  yet  all  will  be  brighter  soon.  Yes,  yes,  our  poor, 
poor  boys  have  suffered  much  within  these  few  days,  but,  thank 
God !  all  is  progressing  favorably.'  He  was  about  to  mount 
when  I  addressed  him,  and  inquired  if  there  was  any  news 
from  the  field  ?  He  answered  politely  that  '  nothing  new  had 
transpired  ;  we  were  progressing  slowly !'  It  was  President 
Davis !  He  had  been  on  the  field  all  day,  and  was  ordered 
from  the  front  by  Lee  ;  nor  would  the  guards  permit 'him,  as  a 
citizen,  to  cross  the  lines  again  without  a  '  pass ! '  It  seems  the 
President  and  two  attendants  had  been  close  up  to  the  front, 
and  occupied  an  old  deserted  house,  when  Lee,  being  informed, 
requested  him  to  go  to  the  rear.  He  had  not  vacated  the  house 
more  than  five  minutes  ere  four  or  five  shells  exploded  and 
tore  it  down! 

"  One  of  the  most  gallant  deeds  I  have  heard  was  performed 
by  a  young  Texan  named  Dickey  at  Gaines's  Mills.  When  his 
brigade  charged  the  batteries,  they  were  met,  among  others,  by 
two  New-Jersey  regiments.  The  shock  did  not  last  more  than 
five  minutes,  for  the  Texans  are  remarkably  good  shots,  so 
that  after  firing  a  volley  they  gallantly  charged,  and  Dickey  was 
fortunate  enough  to  capture  both  standards!  I  saw  them 
brought  into  Richmond  by  a  cavalry  escort,  not  less  than  two 
hundred  prisoners  following  behind.  It  must  have  been  a  great 
mortification  to  them.  That  was  '  On  to  Eichmond '  with  a 
vengeance  1" 

"  Wilcox,  at  Gaines's  Mills,"  said  another,  "  was  in  a  terrible 
rage  with  his  brigade,  although  as  a  temporary  divisional  gen- 
eral he  commanded  both  Featlterstone  and  Pryor.  Finding 
that  his  men  baulked  a  little  at  the  brook,  in  face  of  obstruc- 
tion and  a  heavy  fire  in  front,  he  rushed  forward,  sword  in 
hand,  and  threatened  to  cut  off  the  head  of  the  first  Alabamian 
who  hesitated  to  advance!  All  the  generals  were  on  foot,  you 
know,  so  that  it  required  much  running  about  to  keep  the 
brigade  in,  order ;  but,  although  Featherstone's  men  were  sup- 
posed to  be  a  reserve  of  the  division  in  that  action,  they  became 
so  restive  that  he  advanced  up  the  centre,  and  arrived  at  the 
top  of  the  hill  sooner  than  the  rest.  Had  he  moved  out  of  the 
woods  alone  his  destruction  was  inevitable,  for  the  artillery  of 


394  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

the  enemy  was  numerous  and  powerful.  It  is  said  that  the 
sight  of  Wilcox,  Featherstone,  Pryor,  Whiting,  Archer,  Hood, 
and  others  advancing  afoot,  sword  in  hand,  cheering  on  their 
commands  through  the  woods  and  up  the  hill,  was  most  in- 
spiriting :  the  men  cheered  vociferously,  and  would  have  fol- 
lowed such  commanders  anywhere. 

"  '  Come  on,  boys ! '  said  little  Whiting,  who,  though  com- 
manding a  division,  would  lead  his  old  brigade  to  the  charge — 
' Come  on,  boys!'  said  he  in  front,  waving  his  cap  and  sword — 
'  quick,  is  the  word !  Here  they  are  before  us ;  you  cannot 
miss  them  !  Steady !  Forward,  guide  centre,  march ! '  and  off 
they  went  up  the  hill,  yelling  and  firing  like  madmen.* 

"Ambrose  Hill,  at  Mechanicsville,  was  ever  in  the  front, 
regardless  of  danger,  and,  although  his  coat  was  torn  in  several 
places,  miraculously  escaped.  I  wish  I  could  add  the  same  of 
poor  Featherstone,  at  Frazier's  Farm,  for  he ,  was  desperately 
wounded  towards  the  close  of  that  fight ;  Colonel  Taylor,  of  the 
Second  Mississippi,  was  killed  during  the  last  volley  at  the 
same  place.  I  single  him  out  from  among  many  other  officers, 
for  he  was  generally  considered  to  be  one  of  the  most  promising 
young  men  in  the  service.  His  praise  was  on  every  lip,  and 
he  must  have  risen  rapidly :  he  was  nephew  to  old  Zachary 
Taylor,  hero  of  the  Mexican  war,  and  President  of  the  United 
States. 

*  Brigadier-General  Daniel  P.  Whiting  is  a  native  of  New- York,  about  fifty 
years  of  age,  small  in  stature,  thin,  wiry,  and  active,  an  excellent  officer  in  any 
department,  and,  though  always  in  the  infantry,  proved  himself  an  admirable 
engineer,  by  fortifying  Harper's  Ferry,  in  May,  1861.  He  entered  the  old  service 
Second  Lieutenant  Second  Infantry,  July  first,  1832;  was  Brevet  Major  April 
eighteenth,  1847 ;  and  full  Major  when  hostilities  commenced.  He  was  assigned 
to  Johnston's  command  in  the  Shenad&oah  VaDey,  May,  1861,  as  chief  engineer 
there — Johnston  on  many  occasions  testifying  to  his  merit  and  industry.  In  the 
absence  of  General  Gustavus  Smith,  Whiting  always  commanded  the  division,  and 
proved  himself  an  officer  of  great  ability  at  "  Seven  Pines,"  where  he  commanded 
the  left  attack.  At  the  battle  of  "  Gaines's  Mills  "  he  won  immortal  honor  by  the 
skilful  manner  of  handling  his  division ;  and  to  cheer  on  the  men  sprang  to  the 
front  on  foot,  cap  in  hand,  fighting  his  way  up-hill,  through  the  timber,  while  his 
own  brigade  were  cheering  and  making  resistless  charges.  In  fact,  every  brigadier 
did  the  same  in  that  terrible  conflict,  while  colonels  acted  as  brigadiers,  captains  as 
colonels,  and  sergeants  as  captains.  "Major"  Whiting,  as  he  is  called,  is  much 
beloved  by  his  men,  and  has  always  accomplished  whatever  he  was  ordered  to  do, 
which  cannot  be  said  of  dozens  of  those  who,  without  talent,  have  risen  through 
social  or  political  influence. 


INCIDENTS  OF  BATTLE.  395 

"  Young  Taylor  was  highly  educated  in  military  matters,  and 
could  do  more  with  raw  troops  than  any  officer  'I  ever  knew. 
President  Taylor's  son  is  a  brigadier,  you  know,  and  common 
report  speaks  of  him  as  a  highly  scientific  officer,  and  likely  to 
eclipse  his  father's  fame,  should  opportunities  present  them- 
selves. 

"  There  were  several  regiments  of  conscripts  who  participated 
in  the  late  battles,  and  fought  excellently  ;  in  fact,  I  could  not 
perceive  any  difference  between  them  and  the  volunteers, 
for  they  never  flinched,  but  carried  every  position  assigned 
th%m.  Conscripts  or  volunteers,  native  talent  will  be  sure  to 
come  out  in  times  like  these— ^-blood  will  tell.  I  saw  a  youth 
marching  out  of  action  with  the  remnants  of  a  Federal  flag 
wound  round  a  wound  in  his  arm.  '  Where  did  you  get  it?'  I 
inquired.  '  I  got  both  of  them  yonder — the  wound  and  flag  both. 
I  shot  down  the  color-bearer ;  but  there  was  a  big  fight  over 
it,  and  before  I  got  clear  some  of  our  own  men  claimed  it,  and 
there  was  a  general  figbt.  Whether  one  of  the  Yanks  shot  me 
or  not,  I  can't  tell ;  but  if  the  colonel  hadn't  come  up  and  re- 
stored order,  I  should  have  been  crushed  to  death,  for  there 
were  at  least  half  a  dozen  dead  men  on  top  of  me ;  but  hav- 
ing grasped  the  colors,  they  were  torn  from  me,  and  this  piece 
is  all  I've  got.  The  rest  is  distributed  among  all  the. boys  by 
this  time.  It  wasn't  good  for  much,  so  I  bound  up  my  arm' 
with  it !  Darn  'em,  I'm  sorry  I  can't  use  this  hand,  or  I'd  go 
back,  and  make  some  of  'em  howl,  sure!' " 

"A  warlike  friend  of  mine,"  said  Dobbs,  "who  always  had 
more  to  say  about  military  matters  than  any  half-dozen  generals, 
was  always  talking  of  what  he  would  do  the  first  fight  in  which 
he  participated.  At  Frazier's  Farm,  one  of  the  first  men  I  met 
walking  to  the  rear  was  Eobinson,  with  his  hand  bound  up. 
'  Hallo !  Rob,'  said  I ;  '  what's  the  matter  ?  Hurt  ?'  '  Hurt  ?  I 
guess  I  am — slightly!  I  hadn't  fairly  got  into  it,  Dobbs,'  said 
he,/ "fore  some  villain  wounded  me,  and  here  am  I  laid  up  for  a' 
couple  of  months,  and  never  had  the  pleasure  of  killing  one  of 
them  yet!'  While  talking  to  Kob,  I  saw  a  youth  binding  up 
his  leg  behind  a  tree,  fifty  paces  to  the  right  of  me,  and  had 
even  spoken  to  him  kindly,  when  a  shot  came,  tore  down  the 
tree,  and  whiped  his  head  off  clean  to  the  shoulders  I 

"  The  Yankees  use  their  cavalry  to  force  the  infantry  for- 


396  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

ward,  I  understand,  and  it  would  seem  that  the  number  of 
stragglers  is  very  great  with  them ;  but  in  all  my  observations 
during  the  week's  campaign,  I  never  counted  more  than  two 
dozen  men  straggling  in  our  rear  at  any  time ;  but  owing  to  the  in- 
cessant marching  and  consequent  fatigue,  I  reasonably  expected 
to  encounter  many  more.  It  seems  a  sense  of  honor  animates 
our  troops,  and  they  will  not  give  up  while  -strength  lasts  to 
keep  them  going.  I  have  frequently  seen  slightly  wounded 
men,  just  from  the  doctor's  hands,  moving  to  the  front  again; 

and  remember  an  instance  of  coolness  in  one  middle-aged  man 

° 

which  I  can  never  forget.  While  riding  to  the  front  I  met  an 
Irishman  of  the  Fourteenth  Louisiana,  retiring  to  the  rear,  his 
rifle  slung  by  his  side,  and  a  towel  held  to  his  face.  'Hurt, 
comrade  ?'  I  inquired.  '  Yes,  sir,'  was  the  answer,  in'  a  rich 
brogue ;  '  the  villains  have  hit  me  in  the  face,'  said  he,  showing 
his  cheek  half  shot  away ;  '  but  if  it  didn't  bleed  so  much  I 
should  feel  ashamed  to  go  to  the  doctor's  with  such  a  bit  of  a 
scratch,  for  our  boys  are  whipping  the  devils  in  elegant  style, 
and  I  should  like  to  be  lending  them  a  hand!'  I  told  him  to 
bathe  his  face  in  the  brook,  over  which  our  men  had  just  clam- 
bered, and  giving  him  about  a  pint  of  spirits  from  my  canteen, 
left  him  with  his  face  well  bandaged,  sitting  comfortably  under 
a  tree,  smoking  his  pipe  ;  while,  not  more  than  half  a  mile  in 
front  the  battle  raged  with  great  fury,  and  shell  fell  thick  and 
fast  in  all  directions. 

"  The  greatest  fortitude  and  patience  were  evinced  by  our 
men  under  suffering,  and  I  never  saw  but  one  instance  where 
any  loudly  complained.  I  have  frequently  seen  men  smoking 
when  under  the  surgeon's  knife,  and  heard  the  wounded  salute 
each  other  wittily  about  their  hurts.  'Hallo,  colonel,'  said  one 
fellow,  lying  on  a  door,  going  through  the  process  of  having 
balls  extracted,  to  his  colonel,  who  was  led  forward  for  treat- 
ment ;  '  sorry  to  see  you  hurt,  colonel — it  will  be  a  long  time 
ere  either  of  us  can  dance  in  the  Assembly  Rooms,  New. 
Orleans,  again.'  '  Why,  captain,  is  that  you  ?  you  don't  mean 
to  ,say  they  have  "  pinked  "  you  at  last,  eh  ?  The  Yankees 
seem  to  be  distributing  their  favors  impartially  to-day.  Cheer 
up,  old  fellow,  we  are  whipping  them  like  the  devil  at  all 
points,  so  I  hear.  Come  along,  doc  —  my  turn  next! '  'Just 
fill  my  pipe,  doc,'  another  would  say,  '  before  you  commence 


FEDERAL  LOSSES.  397 

cutting,  and  if  you've  got  such  a  thing  handy  as  a  drink  of 
whiskey  to  give  a  fellow,  it  would  considerably  assist  things,  I 
think  ;  sharpen  that  knife  a  little,  it  Jooks  blunt.  There,  now 
blaze  away,  and  get  through  in  the  biggest  hurry  you  can  — 
let  it  be  short  and  sweet,'  etc." 

"  "Well,  now  that  all  is  over,  what  is  your  notion  of  the  com- 
parative loss,  Major?"  Frank  inquired  of  Dobbs. 

"  From  the  amount  of  carnage  *  it  would  be  difficult  to  form 
a  correct  opinion.  I  do  not  know  the  loss  on  the  several  fields, 
but  learn  that  the  Adjutant-General  says  our  loss  amounts  to 
about  fifteen  thousand  killed,  wounded,  and  missing ;  the  num- 
ber of  the  latter  is  comparatively  small,  so  that  we  might  say 
that  in  all  the  engagements  of  that  eventful  week  we  lost  a 
grand  total  of  fifteen  thousand  killed  and  -wounded.  Those 
figures  are  considered  the  maximum  estimate." 

"  As  to  the  number  of  guns  and  small  arms  captured,  it 
would  be  difficult  to  say,"  remarked  Eobins,  being  referred  to 
on  that  point.  "  From  the  Brooke  Turnpike  to  Meadow 
Bridge  I  saw  one  ;  from  the  last-named  place  to  and  includ- 
ing Mechanicsville,  I  counted  six — not  reckoning  siege-pieces 
taken  in  reverse ;  at  Ellison's  Mills,  Beaver  Dam  Creek,  and 
Gaines's  Mills,  I  saw  twenty;  at  Frazier's  Farm  half-a-dozenj 
and  at  Malvern  Hill  as  many  more.  Lee  estimates  the  cap- 
tured field-guns  at  forty  or  more,  not  including  many  siege- 
pieces,  several  dbzen  caissons  and  ammunition  wagons,  to- 
gether with  thirty  thousand  stand  of  arms,  fit  for  use,  and 
half-a-dozen  or  more  stand  of  colors.  There  was  a  very  large 
banner  captured  by  Major  Bloomfield,  of  Magruder's  staff, 
when  his  division  pushed  down  the  railroad  on  Sunday  after- 
noon. Prisoners  state  that  this  memorable  flag  was  made  by 
ladies  in  New-England,  and  given  to  McClellan/  to  be  raised 

*  From  a  Norfolk  paper  of  a  recent  date  we  learn  that  "  since  the  battles  near 
Richmond,  certain  Irishmen  at  Old  Point  have  hauled  up  in  their  seines  large  num- 
bers of  legs  and  arms  which  had  been  amputated  from  the  wounded  received  at  the 
fortress,  and  thrown  to  feed  the  sharks  in  the  Roads.  What  will  the  Yankee  na- 
tion say  of  the  disposition  made  by  their  surgeons  of  the  dismembered  limbs  of 
the  army  of  the  Potomac?  They  will  anxiously  inquire  whether  McClcllan  indeed 
retains  so  little  o&  Virginia  soil  as  not  to  afford  him  decent  burial-place  for  the 
mangled  limbs  of  bis  followers." 


398  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

on  the  dome  of  the  Capitol  when  the  Federal  forces  entered 
Kichmond  !" 

-  "As  for  their  dead,"  a  competent  authority  remarks,  "from 
personal  inspection  of  the  various  fields,  I  should  judge  they 
lost  three  times  as  many  as  ourselves,  nor  shall  I  be  far  wrong 
in  estimating  their  casualties  at  forty  thousand  killed  and 
wounded,  not  including  more  than  seven  thousand  rank  and 
file,  a  long  list  of  officers,  and  a  dozen  generals,  now  prison- 
ers in  our  tobacco  warehouses.  I  see  it  stated  in  Northern 
journals  that  it  is  supposed  McClellan  has  not  more  than  sixty- 
five  thousand  effective  men,  at  Berkley,  out  of  a  force  of  over 
one  hundred  and  ten  thousand  with  which  he  commenced  the 
week's  campaign." 

"In  round  numbers,  then,"  said  one,  "it  can  be  stated  that 
our  losses  may  be  put  at  no  higher  figure  than  fifteen  thousand 
killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  without  loss  in  generals ;  and 
that  the  loss  of  the  enemy  is  not  less  than  forty-seven  thou- 
sand killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  besides  several  general 
officers  killed  and  prisoners.-  In  addition  they  have  lost  forty 
field-pieces,  six  or  more  siege-pieces,  thirty  thousand  stand  oi 
improved  small-arms,  half-a-dozen  flags,  drums,  full  sets  oi 
brass  instruments,  thousands  of  tons  of  stores  and  ammuni- 
tion ;  hundreds  of  wagons,  caissons,  horses,  mules,  tents  ;  seve- 
ral fine  locomotives,  carriages,  and  freight  cars;  immense  sup- 
plies of  medicines,  clothing,  and  shoes ;  important  private  and 
public  papers,  harness,  fodder,  and  a  thousand  other  things  too 
numerous  to  mention." 

"  All  these  things  we  know"  added  Dobbs,  " from  ocular 
proof!  How  much  more  fell  into  our  hands  can  only  be 
learned  from  Stuart  and  other  cavalry  leaders,  who  have 
been  scouring  the  whole  country  for  weeks,  and  adding  to 
the  list  every  day.  But  what  were  the  total  of  both  armies 
prior  to  the  week's  operations  —  can  any  one  tell?" 

"  /may  form  a  correct  idea,"  said  Frank.  "  During  the  bat- 
tle of  Graines's  Mills,  I  was  sent  across  the  Chickahominy  to 
Magruder's  quarters  at  Garnett's  Farm— almost  in  a  direct 
line  with  the  battle-field.  President  Davis,  and  many  others, 
sat  on  the  portico,  observing  the  progress  of  the  fight  through 
their  field-glasses,  at  a  distance  of  not  more  than  two  miles  in 
a  direct  line.  Some  one  remarked  to  Magruder  that  Lee  waa 


STRENGTH  OF  THE  TWO  ARMIES.  399 

pushing  the  enemy  closely  on  the  north  bank,  and  that  night 
would  close  upon  another  great  victory.  'Yes,'  Magruder 
answered,  in  his  usual  lisp,  '  they  ought  to  accomplish  some- 
thing, since  they  have  Jackson,  Longstreet,  the  Hills,  Whiting, 
and  others,  over  there.'  I  heard  President  Davis  remark,  sub- 
sequently, to  a  senator,  that  our  force  tfien  over  the  river  was 
fifty  thousand  men.  Our  force  on  the  south  bank,  at  that 
moment,  did  not  muster  more  than  fifty  thousand,  so  that 
our  whole  effective  strength  did  not  reach  to  more  than  one 
hundred  thousand  fighting  men.*  From  observations  I  heard 
dropped  by  those  high  in  command,  it  was  generally  believed 
from  the  large  number  of  Valley  troops  found  with  him,  that 
McClellaii's  whole  effective  force  amounted  to  more  than  one 
hundred  and  ten  thousand  men,  but  at  a  rough  guess  it  was 
that  number,  at  the  lowest  estimate  !" 

"  Well,"  said  Dobbs,  seizing  the  bottle,  and  half  filling  a 
tumbler,  "  the  best  and  most  accurate  total  is,  that  we  have 
thoroughly  whipped  and  routed  them  !  So  '  here's  to  Lee  and 
our  gallant  boys  !'  " 

The  toast  was  responded  to  enthusiastically,  and  not  until 
late  in  the  night  did  the  speech-making,  patriotic,  and  song- 
singing  company  depart,  leaving  empty  bottles,  pipes,  cigars, 
chairs,  and  tables  strewn  around  the  room  in  artistic  confusion, 
besides  several  of  the  "  glorious "  company  stretched  at  full 
length  on  the  beds  and  floor  ! 

The  Northern  army,  swept  from  our  front,  had  massed  round 
the  heights  of  Berkeley,  strongly  fortified  and  reenforced,  while 
a  very  large  fleet  of  transports  and  gunboats  was  but  a  few 
hundred  yards  distant  in  the  river,  unloading  supplies,  and 
protecting  the  position  from  any  sudden  attack  by  the  Confed- 
erates. The  rebels,  in  the  form  of  a  semicircle,  were  intently 
watching  and  preparing  for  the  further  movements  of  McClel- 
lan,  certain  that  should  he  dare  come  forth,  the  remains  of  his 
once  proud  and  numerous  army  would  be  annihilated.  McClel- 
lan,  however,  was  far  too  weak  and  wise  to  attempt  any  ad- 
vance, and  retreat  he  dared  not;  had  he  stirred  from  his 
position  to  fall  back  down  the  peninsula,  he  would  most  surely 

*  I  have  since  learned  that  this  estimate  of  the  Confederate  force  is  incorrect— 
it  did  not  muster  ninety  thousand  effective  men. 


400  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

have  been  overtaken  and  routed,  but  by  remaining  where  he 
then  was,  the  fleet  was  his  protection  and  main  hope.  All 
this  time  the  Federals  under  Pope  were  concentrating  round 
Fredericksburgh,  and  preparing  to  advance  from  the  north  and 
east,  in  which  case  McClellan,  being  reenforced,  was,  if  possible, 
to  cooperate  on  the  peninsula.  Pope  took  command  of  his 
army  with  a  grand  flourish  of  trumpets,  and  his  bombastic 
promises  Highly  delighted  Northern  leaders  and  newspaper 
writers,  who,  as  usual,  endeavored  to  hide  McClellan's  inglo- 
rious defeats  by  claiming  them  as  victories.  They  argued  that, 
although  the  latter  had  now  but  seventy  thousand  out  of  more 
than  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  men,  "he  was  con- 
siderably nearer  Eichmond  than  ever,"  and  that  "  his  change 
of  base  would  culminate  in  the  speedy  reduction  of  the  rebel 
capital  I" 

From  early  indications,  Lee  was  satisfied  that  McClellan 
would  not  again  operate  on  the  peninsula,  but  had  concluded 
to  transport  most  of  his  forces  to  the  Eappahannock,  and  form 
a  junction  with  Pope.  For  this  purpose,  although  maintaining 
daily  picket-fights  with  our  forces,  immense  numbers  of  trans- 
ports assembled  in  the  James  Eiver,  and  it  was  determined  to 
try  our  rifled  artillery  upon  them  at  some  unsuspected  moment. 
As 'a  division  of  our  troops,  well  concealed,  were  on  the  south 
side  of  the  James,  General  Pendleton  was  ordered  there  with  a 
hundred  guns,  and  he  concealed  his  movements  under  cover  of 
thick  timber.  Every  thing  being  prepared  and  his  own  position 
admirably  screened,  Pendleton  gave  the  signal,  and  all  our 
guns  opened  with  a  deafening  roar,  shortly  after  midnight. 
Every  shot  told  with  fearful  effect,  for  the  guns  had  been 
sighted  at  sunset,  and  after  a  'few  discharges  the  vessels  were 
rocking,  and  rolling,  and  crashing  beneath  our  weight  of  metal, 
while  to  swell  the  uproar  the  gunboats  instantly  extinguished 
their  lights,  and  commenced  shelling  us  furiously.  The  enemy's 
missiles,  however,  passed  overhead  without  disabling  one  of 
our  guns,  or  killing  more  than  three  men  in  Dabney's  heavy 
battery,  and  wounding  some  half-dozen  others.  The  loss  among 
the  shipping,  on  the  other  hand,  was  fearful,  for  as  their  trans- 
ports numbered  many  score,  and  were  all  clustered  together 


DESTRUCTION   OF  TRANSPORTS.  401 

round  Harrison's  Landing,  the  crash  of  timber,  the  shrieks,  the 
mingling  of  voices,  and  the  general  commotion  were  fearful. 

But  our  artillery  did  not  pay  exclusive  attention  to  the  ves- 
sels, for  as  the  camps  and  fires  of  McClellan's  army  were  clearly 
in  view  on  the  opposite  hills,  and  not  more  than  half  a  mile 
distant,  showers  of  shell  were  thrown  amongst  them.  Very 
soon  barns  and  outhouses  were  in  flames;  the  greatest  con- 
fusion was  apparent  among  the  troops,  soldiers  in  all  sorts  of 
attire  rushing  wildly  to  and  fro.  At  length  morning  dawned, 
and  where  shipping  had  been  in  unsuspecting  quiet  the  night 
before,  nothing  was  now  to  be  seen  but  floating  wrecks  or 
masts  above  water,  stores,  timber,  bales,  boxes,  and  boats 
thrown  upon  the  beach ;  as  for  the  enemy,  not  a  tent  or  soldier 
could  be  seen  for  miles  on  their  old  camping-grounds ;  all  had 
disappeared  as  if  by  magic.  The  destruction  visible  on  every 
hand  verified  the  fearful  havoc  which  the  night  attack  of  Pen- 
dleton's  artillery  corps  had  occasioned  among  the  dispirited  but 
snugly  provided-for  enemy  of  the  day  before.  The  attack  was 
so  unexpected  and  violent  that  the.  enemy  were  paralyzed  in 
the  dead  of  night,  and  although  neither  their  press  nor  generals 
ever  mentioned  the  circumstance,  except  in  ambiguous  terms, 
we  had  other  evidence  that  the  disaster  was  appreciated  by 
those  who  were  the  witnesses  and  sufferers  by  it.  Prisoners  of 
the  better  class  subsequently  confirmed  our  convictions  that  the 
loss  was  so  great,  and  followed  so  quickly  after  their  disastrous 
handling  in  the  "  Week's  Campaign,"  that  they  dared  not  in- 
form the  North  of  the  destruction  of  transports  and  supplies,  or 
of  the  sudden  change  of  camps  during  that  fearful  cannonade. 

Some  of  Cobb's  legion  on  picket-duty  next  day  picked  up 
many  stragglers,  who  naively  said  that  "the  assault  was  so 
sudden,  fearful,  and  accompanied  with  such  havoc  and  disorder, 
it  seemed  as  if  the  Last  Day  had  arrived  ;"  for  regiments  were 
hurriedly  formed  Jrtid  marched  away  in  the  darkness,  many 
having  no  other  covering  but  their  drawers.  Many  thought 
the  occasion  presented  a  fine  opportunity  for  a  night  attack  on 
the  land  side,  but  McClellan's  favorite  style  of  planting  cannon 
on  high  grounds  and  throwing  up  strong  intrenchments,  had 
taught  our  men  much  respect  for  that  branch  of  the  service, 
although  for  the  infantry  they  entertained  an  habitual  and  pro- 
26 


402  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

found  contempt,  and  were  as  ready  to  attack  them  by  night  as 
by  day. 

A  few  days  subsequent  to  this  success,  McClellan  made  de- 
monstrations as  if  intending  to  cross  part  of  his  force  from  Berke-' 
ley  and  operate  on  the  south  side  of  the  James  Eiver.  Our 
infantry  were  withdrawn  a  few  miles  inland  to  Petersburgh,  to 
watch  this  new  combination.  It  was  known  that  heavy  reen- 
forcements  had  reached  McClellan,  and  he  seemed  inclined  to 
advance  up  both  banks  and  attempt  to  destroy  our  water-bat- 
teries at  Fort  Darling,  so  as  to  allow  the  gunboats  to  proceed 
up  the  river  to  Eichmond.  He  was  closely  watched  by  Lee, 
who  had  also  been  intently  studying  the  programme  of  General 
Pope,  now  industriously  engaged  in  gathering  a  large  army 
north  of  the  Eappahannock  at  Culpeper,  with  a  strong  ad- 
vance-guard south  of  it  near  Gordonsville.  It  was  well  known 
to  us  that  great  expectations  were  entertained  of  Pope's  move- 
ment towards  Eichmond,  and  that  he  had  made  extravagant 
boasts  of  his  intentions  to  turn  the  tide  of  fortune,  and  sack 
Eichmond  in  an  incredibly  brief  time. 

But  as  this  new  army  was  preparing  to  move  round  our  left, 
while  watching  McClellan  with  our  centre  and  right  more  than 
a  hundred  miles  away  from  it,  divisions  and  bickerings  seemed 
to  exist  in  those  two  grand  wings  of  the  Federal  army.  Mc- 
Clellan, thoroughly  defeated  in  his  own  attempt,  looked  upon 
Pope  as  an  upstart  and  braggadocio,  who,  by  dint  of  trickery 
and  politics,  had  become  chief  favorite  of  the  Cabinet,  from 
which  he  could  obtain  any  amount  of  support  and  unlimited 
supplies,  which  had  been  denied  to  the  late  Grand  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  More  than  this,  it  was  known  that  one  or  more 
generals  of  division  (General  Kearny  in  evidence)  had  asked 
relief  from  duty  under  McClellan,  looking  upon  him  as  an 
arrant  humbug,  and  had  been  assigned  to  Pope's  army.  Gen- 
eral McDowell  also — who  for  many  months  before  had  been 
stationed  at  Fredericksburgh,  and  was  promised  chief  command 
of  this  movement  when  joined  by  Banks,  Blenker,  Milroy, 
Shields,  and  Fremont  from  the  Shenandoah  Valley  and  "West- 
ern Virginia,  but  whose  hopes  liad  been  destroyed  by  the  rapid 
marches  and  victories  of  Jackson  over  those  generals  at  vari- 
ous places — now  felt  extremely  humiliated  to  find  his  plans 
and  chief  command  intrusted  to  one  incompetent,  and  himself 


NORTHERN  GENERALS.  403 

rated  as  a  third-class  subordinate  in  the  same  enterprise ;  Gen- 
eral K  P.  Banks,  of  Massachusetts,  being  second  to  Pope. 

Politics  had  much  to  do  with  these  appointments.  McClellan 
was  a  Democrat,  and  though  opposed  to  abolitionism,  never 
allowed  party  feeling  to  influence  him,  always  taxing  his  capac- 
ity to  the  utmost  to  gain  success.  He  had  been  defeated  many 
times,  and  still  was  looked  upon  as  an  able  man,  particularly 
in  the  South,  where  military  critics  reviewed  his  course  impar- 
tially, and  awarded  that  praise  which  ability  .and  bravery 
deserved.  Pope  and  Banks  were  both  uncompromising  negro- 
worshippers,  and  as  military  men  were  laughed  at  by  the  whole 
South.  McDowell,  also,  was  known  to  be  a  Democrat,  and, 
though  too  good  a  soldier  to  allow  politics  to  interfere  with 
duty,  was  discarded,  and  assigned  an  unimportant  command, 
while  striplings  of  the  East,  from  political  influence,  were 
placed  above  him.  All  these  things  were  fully  known  to  us, 
and  no  movement  occurred  in  either  army  of  which  we  were 
not  cognizant.  Our  lines  before  the  enemy  were  so  well  kept 
that  few  were  aware  of  any  movement  preparing ;  but  as  the 
foe  were  becoming  very  active  on  the  line  of  the  Rappahan- 
nock,  and  daily  glorifying  themselves  in  the  newspapers  about 
some  trifling  cavalry  skirmish  with  our  scouts,  it  was  evident 
their  advance  under  Banks  was  about  to  move  into  an  eligible 
position.  As  soon  as  this  was  ascertained,  his  old  friend,  the 
inevitable  "Stonewall,"  received  marching  orders  with  his  divi- 
sion to  proceed  from  the  main  army  and  creep  upon  him,  which 
he  did  in  his  usual  brilliant  style,  and  with  his  wonted  success. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Movements  of  Beauregard's  Army  in  Mississippi,  after  the  Battle  of  Shiloh — Our 
Defences  at  Corinth — General  Halleck  takes  Command  of  the  combined  Armies 
of  Buell  and  Grant,  and  follows  on  to  Corinth — Both  Armies  intrench — Magni- 
tude of  the  Federal  Works — Beauregard  suddenly  retreats  to  Tullahoma — Pol- 
icy of  his  Retreat — The  Federals  do  not  follow — Part  of  our  Force  detached 
from  Beauregard,  and,  under  command  of  Van  Dorn,  sent  to  defend  Vicksburgh 
against  the  Fleet  of  Commodore  Farragut  advancing  up  from  the  Gulf,  and  Com- 
modore Foote's  Squadron  of  Gunboats  coming  down  the  River  from  St.  Louis — 
Building  of  the  Rebel  Ram  Arkansas — She  forces  the  Mouth  of  the  Yazoo  River, 
and  runs  the  Gauntlet  of  the  Fleet — Night  Bombardment  of  Vicksburgh — Flight 
of  the  Federals — Capture  of  a  Federal  Despatch  Boat. 

"DEAR  FRIEND:  Mj  last  letter  contained  details  of  the 
battle  of  Shiloh  on  the  first  and  second  day ;  of  the  first  day's 
victory,  of  Albert  Sydney  Johnston's  death;  and  of  our 
•reverse  and  retreat  on  the  second  day,  before  the  combined 
armies  of  Buell  and  Grant.  I  also  informed  you  that  the 
retreat  was  covered  by  General  Breckinridge,  with  his  Ken- 
tuckians,  and  of  the  admirable  manner  in  which  he  performed 
that  difficult  task.  '  General,'  said  Beauregard,  riding  up  with 
his  staff,  'we  must  retreat;  we  cannot  maintain  an  unequal 
contest  against  such  odds  of  fresh  troops.  The  command  of 
the  rear-guard  is  given  to  you.  This  retreat  must  not  be  a 
rout — if  it  costs  your  last  man,  it  must  not  be  so ! '  The  army 
was  withdrawn  from  the  field  as  if  in  review,  and  Breckinridge 
covered  the  retreat  so  skilfully  that  the  enemy  halted,  and  did 
not  pursue  us  more  than  a  mile  from  the  field.  This  was  partly 
owing  to  their  own  exhausted  condition ;  for  next  day  the  pur- 
suit was  taken  up  by  General  Pope,  who  captured  several  hun- 
dred of  our  sick  and  wounded  in  the  timber.  Many,  doubt- 
less, were  like  those  who  lagged  behind  in  your  retreat  from 
Yorktown — men  who  lacked  patriotism,  who  had  enlisted  from 
disaffected  or  unsound  districts,  had  become  lukewarm,  and,  for 
the  sake  of  peace  and  comfort,  willingly  became  prisoners  to 
the  numerous  and  well-conditioned  forces  of  the  enemy. 


FEDERAL  ATROCITIES.  405 

"  When  we  reached  Corintli  I  was  glad  to  hear  that  Price, 
with  a  division  of  Missourians,  had  crossed  the  Mississippi,  and 
formed  a  junction  with  Van  Dora  and  a  few  Arkansians,  the 
trans-Mississippi  campaign  being  considered  closed  for  some 
time.  Within  a  few  days,  we  learned  that  the  tremendous 
forces  of  Grant  and  Buell,  combined  tinder  command  of  Hal- 
leek,  were1  slowly  advancing.  It  was  reported  that  they 
swarmed  over  the  country  like  locusts,  eating  or  destroying 
every  thing,  carrying  off  property,  capturing  negroes,  and  im- 
pressing them  into  service.*  Driving  in  our  pickets,  they 

*  As  a  specimen  of  the  behavior  of  Federal  troops  in  the  West  and  South,  I  sob- 
join  the  following  from  their  own  organs :  The  Louisville  (Kentucky)  Democrat, 
which  for  safety  was  printed  over  the  Ohio  River  at  New- Albany,  thus  speaks  of 
their  soldiery  in  Athens,  Alabama :  "  General  Turchin  said  to  his  soldiers  that  he 
would  shut  his  eyes  for  two  hours,  and  let  them  loose  upon  the  town  and  citizens 
of  Athens — the  very  same  citizens  who,  when  all  the  rest  of  the  State  was  disloyal, 
nailed  the  national  colors  to  the  highest  pinnacle  of  their  court-house  cupola.  These 
citizens,  to  a  wonderful  degree  true  to  their  allegiance,  had  their  houses  and  stores 
broken  open,  and  robbed  of  every  thing  valuable ;  and,  what  was  too  unwieldy  to 
be  transported  easily,  was  broken  or  ruined.  Safes  were  forced  open,  and  rifled  of 
thousands  of  dollars ;  wives  and  mothers  vxre  intuited,  and  husbands  and  fathers  ar- 
rested if  they  dared  to  murmur  ;  horses  and  negroes  taken  in  large  numbers ;  ladies 
were  robbed  of  all  their  wearing  apparel,  except  what  they  had  on ;  in  fine,  every 
outrage  was  committed,  and  every  excess  indulged  in  that  was  ever  heard  of  by 
the  most  savage  and  brutal  soldiery  towards  a  defenceless  and  alarmed  population. 
All  this  was  done  by  those  who  pretend  to  represent  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment. ...  I  know  similar  acts  disgraced  the  same  brigade  when  we  occupied 
Bowling  Green,  (Kentucky,)  but  the  matter  was  hushed  up  to  save  the  credit  of 
our  army,  hoping  it  would  never  occur  again." 

The  St.  Louis  (Missouri)  Republican,  a  Federal  journal,  and  the  most  responsible 
organ  in  the  West,  says :  "  In  Monroe  County,  Missouri,  near  the  Salt  River  rail- 
way bridge,  as  Mr.  Lasley  and  family  were  returning  from  church,  together  with  & 
party  of  young  ladies  and  gentlemen,' who  were  visiting  them  at  their  country- 
house,  they  found  their  Dwelling  and  grounds  occupied  by  Federal  troops,  who  had 
been  stationed  at  the  bridge.  Suspecting  no  harm,  though  finding  the  grounds 
guarded,  they  advanced  towards  their  residence,  when  Mr.  Lasley  was  ordered  to 
get  down  and  go  to  Palmyra.  He  replied,  that  they  must  permit  him  to  enter  the 
house,  and  get  a  thicker  coat,  as  he  would  be  absent  all  night.  This  was  not  allow- 
ed ;  but  they  placed  him  and  James  Price  (young  son  of  a  poor  widow)  and  young 
Ridgeway  (only  son  of  aged  parents)  in  front  of  the  Federal  lines.  They  were 
then  insulted  grossly  by  the  officer  commanding,  without  explanation  of  any  kind ; 
and  Mrs.  Lasley,  thinking  they  were  going  to  be  shot,  rushed  towards  her  husband ; 
but  Mr.  Lasley  and  young  Price  fell  dead  at  the  one  moment,  and  from  the  same 
volley.  Young  Ridgeway  ran  to  the  woods,  but  was  pursued  and  shot.  Mr.  Lasley 
and  young  Ridgeway  had  both  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance,  and  were  under  heavy 


406  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

Had  occupied  the  northern  end  of  the  New-Orleans  and  Mem- 
phis Kailroad ;  they  had  also  seized  Memphis,  sunk  our  little 
improvised  fleet  of  gunboats  there,  after  a  noble  fight,  in  which 
we  inflicted  considerable  loss ;  had  pushed  along  the  Charleston 
and  Mississippi  Eailroad,  the  west  end  of  which  they  occupied ; 
and  had  camped  about  three  miles  from  Corinth. 

•"  This  was  a  startling  position  for  us  truly  I  Our  main  rail- 
road communication  with  Kichmond,  via  Chattanooga,  in  the 
enemy's  possession,  and  we  obliged  to  travel  many  hundred 
miles  round  by  way  of  Mobile,  Alabama,  and  Georgia,  to  keep 
the  communication  open !  As  there  are  but  two  lines  of  rail- 
road, both  had  been  taxed  to  the  utmost  before  this  disaster. 
What  could  we  do  with  but  one,  while  the  enemy  had  several 
outlets  by  land  and  river  communication  as  well  for  advance  as 
supplies  ?  To  add  to  our  misfortunes,  Corinth  was  a  wretched 
site  for  a  camp,  utterly  destitute  of  water,  good  or  bad,  and 
what  little  could  be  obtained  was  scooped  up  from  the  sand, 
or  from  pools  fed  by  occasional  rains.  You  are  acquainted 
with  the  place,  having  camped  here/  before  going  to  Virginia ; 
and  you  know,  although  there  were  at  that  time  not  more  than 
ten  thousand  men  here,  the  water  was  so  bad  that  many  gave 
ten  cents  a  gallon  for  such  as  they  could  get  from  an  indifferent 
well  at  the  hotel.  Except  to  keep  open  the  railroad  traffic  with 
the  South,  Beauregard  would  not  have  held  the  place  five  min- 
utes, particularly  as  out  of  thirty-five  thousand  men  present, 
the  heat,  insufficient  and  bad  food,  wretched  water,  and  other 
causes,  had  reduced  our  effective  strength  to  about  twenty-five 
thousand. 

"  To  these  disagreeable  circumstances  add  the  fact  that  Hair 
leek  did  not  seem  inclined  to  fight  us  in  our  breastworks,  but 
occupied  ground  north  of  the  town,  which,  you  know,  is  higher 
than  our  side,  and,  intrenching  himself  there,  depended  on  time 
and  patience  to  work  up  till  within  shelling  .distance,  and  then 
destroy  us  at  leisure.  Notwithstanding  our  small  force  and 

bonds.  Before  this  crime  ,waa  committed  the  soldiery  had  taken  possession  of  Mr. 
Lasley's  house,  and  helped  themselves  to  every  thing  they  needed,  had  forced  the 
old  cook  to  prepare  dinner  for  them,  and  destroyed  many  articles  of  furniture, 
etc."  These  are  but  mild  instances  of  what  the  Federal  soldiery  have  done,  in  va- 
rious places,  to  harmless  citizens. 


AFFAIRS  AT  CORINTH.  407 

the  tremendous  odds  against  us,  Beauregard  put  a  bold  face 
upon  matters ;  frequently  marched  out  and  offered  battle,  but, 
to  our  surprise,  found  the  enemy  unwilling  to  leave  their  in- 
trenchments,  which  grew  larger  and  more  numerous  every  day. 
Halleck's  losses,  however,  must  have  been  truly  appalling ;  for 
if  our  own  troops  were  discouraged,  though  born  on  the  soil 
and  accustomed  to  the  heats,  rains,  sudden  changes,  and  abomi- 
nable water,  what  must  be  said  of  men  suffering  from  similar 
causes,  who  were  never  South  before  in  their,  lives,  and  who 
had  been  accustomed  to  every  necessary  in  the  field? 

"As  long  as  Halleck  held  the  railroad  in  our  front  and  an- 
other on  our  left  flank,  he  seemed  sufficiently  contented  to  ad- 
vance slowly  upon  us,  and  having  more  or  less  completed  a 
vast  line  of  elaborate  breastworks,  began  to  manoeuvre  on  our 
right,  so  as  to  gain  possession  of  the  east  branch  of  the  Mobile 
and  Columbus  road ;  thus  leaving  Beauregard  in  possession  of 
but  one  line  to  the  South,  namely,  the  south  branch  of  the 
New-Orleans  and  Memphis  Railroad.  This  intention  was  early 
perceived  by  Beauregard,  who  moved  counter  to  the  design, 
without  weakening  Corinth  itself. 

"  The  labor  and  pertinacity  of  Halleck  were  wonderful.  Hav-  • 
ing  to  make  roads  as  he  advanced  into  the  interior,  he  employed 
large  bodies  of  men,  and  when  trenches  were  opened  before 
Corinth,  his  army  had  completed  several  fine  military  roads 
from  the  Tennessee  River  to  his  immediate  front.  By  these 
roads  ponderous  guns  and  immense  trains  of  supplies  were 
drawn  from  his  base  of  operations  on  that  riypr,  so  that  for  a 
distance  of  thirty  miles  or  more,  ox,  horse,  and  mule  teams 
were  unceasingly  moving  by  night  and  day,  to  facilitate  the 
construction  of  his  worka  Sickness,  however,  greatly  weak- 
ened his  forces,  and  chills,  fevers,  chronic  disorders,  and  aguesr 
filled  the  hospitals.  Still,  his  sanitary  system  was  much  supe- 
rior to  ours ;  scores  of  deep  wells  were  bored,  and  an  ample 
supply  of  water  obtained  for  his  men,  while  we  in  Corinth  were 
almost  decimated  for  the  want  of  a  sufficient  quantity ;  and  the 
surrounding  country  was  filled  by  our  sick  men,  too  weak  to 
stand,  reduced  to  skeletons  from  heat  and  exposure. 

"  It  soon  became  obvious  that  if  Halleck  would  not  advance 
from  his  works,  we  should  either  be  compelled  to  retreat  at  no 


408  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE  SOUTH. 

distant  day,  or  be  massacred  at  discretion  by  the  enemy's  guns. 
which  were  daily  advanced  nearer  and  nearer  with  apparent 
impunity.  The  Federals  were  sorely  afraid  we  would  retreat, 
as  in  that  case  their  mammoth  trenches  and  laboriously  con- 
structed roads  would  but  ill  repay  them  for  their  patience  and 
long  suffering.  This  affliction,  however,  we  could  not  spare 
them.  Immense  roads,  as  I  have  said,  had  been  dug  and  lev- 
elled through  miles  of  timber,  unheard-of  supplies  of  shot,  shell, 
and  mammoth  mortar  batteries  had  been  brought  to  the  front 
with  infinite  labor,  and  much  sacrifice  of  life  and  money,  when 
early  one  morning  our  whole  army  quietly  decamped  towards 
Tullahoma,  and  ere  the  mists  had  risen  were  beyond  sight  or 
hearing ! 

"  A  few  regiments  were  thrown  out  to  our  front  as  usual, 
and  maintained  picket-firing,  but  were  much  surprised  to  receive 
orders  to  fall  back ;  they  could  not  believe  the  army  had  left, 
for  the  movement  had  taken  place  so  quietly,  orderly,  and  un- 
expectedly, that  it  required  ocular  proof  to  convince  them  of 
the  fact  I  When  the  pickets  retired  from  the  front,  the  enemy 
quickly  perceived  it,  and,  though  much  astonished,  prepared  to 
pursue.  Mortified  at  the  failure  of  their  designs,  they  followed 
our  trail  vigorously,  and,  owing  to  some  miscarriage  of  orders, 
two  trains  of  miscellaneous  but  not  valuable  baggage  fell  into 
their  hands,  together  with  several  hundred  sick,  and  a  few  old 
arms.  I  cannot  say  with  absolute  certainty,  but  believe  we  did 
not  lose  a  single  gun,  caisson,  or  a  pound  of  ammunition ;  to 
account  for  whiclj  it  is  necessaryto  add  that  Beauregard  had 
been  quietly  withdrawing  from  Corinth  for  a  space  of  three 
weeks,  but  so  strictly  had  all  orders  been  fulfilled,  and  so  se- 
cretly, that  three  fourths  of  the  army  were  ignorant  of  the  fact, 
and  would  not  believe  itl  It  was  true,  nevertheless,  and  had  it 
not  been  for  the  accidental  capture  of  the  two  small  baggage- 
trains,  through  wilful  carelessness,  this  celebrated  retreat  would 
perhaps  stand  unrivalled  in  the  history  of  warfare,  as  being  the 
most  secret,  successful,  and  disastrous  blow  which  a  feeble  army 
ever  dealt  to  an  all-powerful  and  confident  enemy. 

"  Your  description  of  Johnston's  retreat  from  Manassas  leads 
me  to  believe  that  Beauregard  was  desirous  of  emulating  your 
commander;  the  result  at  any  rate  does  him  infinite  credit. 
Halleck  had  stored  his  camps  with  immense  supplies ;  he  had 


HALLECK'S  DISAPPOINTMENT.  4.09 

destroyed  hundreds  of  horses,  wagons,  mules,  and  carts,  in  the 
work  of  transportation ;  had  prepared  for  a  bombardment  of  an 
indefinite  period ;  built  magazines  and  barracks,  repaired  rail 
roads,  and  erected  bridges,  thus  occupying  the  whole  spring  in 
preparation ;  and  now  in  one  moment  all  these  plans  were 
thwarted,  and  the  hot  season  too  far  advanced  for  his  troops  to 
move  a  mile  farther  into  the  interior!  The  disappointment  was 
equal  to  the  loss  of  a  battle,  if  not  worse.  As  for  ourselves, 
save  a  few  hundred  sick,  and  the  baggage-trains  already  men- 
tioned, together  with  two  old  locomotives,  we  lost  scarcely 
any  thing  worth  mentioning,  and  arrived  at  Tullahoma  with- 
out adventures  of  any  kind,  save  flying  rumors  from  the  rear, 
where  General  Pope  was  following  us  up,  shelling  the  woods 
furiously  on  every  hand,  but  never  approaching  within  gun- 
shot of  our  rear-guard.  The  distance  was  twenty  miles  south 
of  Corinth,  and  the  place  selected  for  our  stand  an  excellent  one 
to  protect  the  south  branches  of  the  Mobile  and  New-Orleans 
railrbads.  The  season,  as  I  have  said,  made  it  impossible  for 
the  enemy  to  follow,  (it  was  the  month  of  June,)  so,  finding  a 
supply  of  good  water,  and  eligible  sites  for  fortifications,  we  set- 
tled down  comfortably,  and  had  no  fear  of  consequences. 

"  You  may  imagine  Halleck's  chagrin  on  discovering  our  re- 
treat !  as  might  be  expected,  the  whole  North  was  railing  at  us 
for  running  away,  calling  us  'cowards,'  for*hot  remaining  to  be 
shelled  out  at  discretion !  Much  comment,  too,  has  been  made 
in  our  army  regarding  this  movement;  it  took  the  Confederacy 
by  surprise ;  opinions  differ  materially,  and  it  is  said  that  the 
War  Office  blames  Beauregard  for  allowing  himself  to  be  driv- 
en to  any  such  necessity.  I  doubt  this  report,  but  let  us  reason 
the  matter  a  little,  though  I  am  not  aware  of  the  opinions  form- 
ed by  military  critics  in  Virginia  regarding  it.  '  First.  Why 
did  B.  fall  back  upon  Corinth  and  fortify  it,  after  the  defeat  at 
Shiloh  ?  To  protect  communication  by  the  two  main  roads  in- 
tersecting there.'  'Second.  Was  that  object  accomplished,  or 
could  he  have  done  so  by  remaining  there?  No;  the  fall  of 
Memphis  gave  all  the  roads  north  of  Corinth  to  the  enemy ; 
they  approached  and  threatened  B.'s  left  along  the  western 
branch  of  the  Mobile  and  Columbus  road,  which  was  unavoid- 
able, and  were  manoeuvring  on  his  right  to  gain  the  eastern  sec- 


410  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

tion ;  Corinth  was  indefensible,  and  by  falling  back  lie  protect- 
ed the  southern  branches  of  both  roads,  had  a  better  position  to 
fortify,  and  the  health  of  his  troops  secured.'  '  Third.  But  why 
fortify  and  decimate  his  troops  by  remaining  there,  when  its  in- 
defensibility was  seen  at  a  glance  ?  To  hold  their  large  unac- 
climated  army  in  check,  decimate  them  in  a  much  greater  ratio 
than  his  own,  compel  them  to  waste  their  only  available  season 
fruitlessly,  and  gain  the  objects  of  a  campaign,  without  shedding 
blood !'  '  Fourth.  But  did  B.  prove  himself  a  general  in  allow- 
ing Halleck  to  approach  by  parallels,  when  he  could  have  pre- 
vented it  by  counter- works  ?  No,  if  Halleck  had  gained  the 
object  of  these  works ;  yes,  because  he  intended  to  leave,  and 
did  leave  them,  ere  the  bombardment  opened  I'  '  Fifth.  What 
then  did  B.  gain  by  holding  and  in  finally  leaving  Corinth  ? 
He  gained  time ;  held  the  enemy  in  check  without  a  battle — 
the  result  being  as  valuable  as  if  gained  at  the  price  of  blood — 
and  by  retreating  at  the  time  he  did,  out-generalled  the  enemy, 
rendered  them  powerless  to  move,  and  saved  Mississippi  from 
the  inroad  of  a  large  army,  which  would  have  followed  him  into 
the  interior  at  an  earlier  season  of  the  year,  but  was  now  un- 
able to  do  so  from  weakened  forces  and  the  great  heats.'  '  Did 
not  B.'s  army  suffer  extremely,  and  what  was  the  ratio  between 
friend  and  foe  from  the  same  causes  ?  The  army  suffered  ex- 
tremely from  sickness,  but  not  mortality ;  while,  from  being 
unacclimated,  the  reverse  was  the  case  with  the  enemy- — the 
ratio  between  us  in  mortality  was  as  seven  to  one !  The  figures 
are  from  the'  acknowledged  returns  of  both  generals.  Our  ex- 
traordinary expense  in  holding  Corinth  during  the  spring  was 
but  trifling ;  Halleck's  expenditure  was  enormous  in  amount.' 

"  But  to  return  to  my  narrative  : 

"  We  had  scarcely  arrived  at  Tullahoma  ere  it  was  known 
that  Farragut's  fleet  from  New-Orleans,  and  Foote's  from  the 
Upper  Mississippi,,  were  approaching,  to  unite  against  the  bat- 
teries at  Vicksburgh — the  only  town  which  prevented  the  free 
navigation  of  the  river  by  the  enemy.  As  it  was  thought  that 
a  land  force  would  cooperate  with  the  gunboats,  our  brigade 
was  sent  to  assist  in  the  defence  of  the  stronghold.  Van  Dorn 
was  appointed  to  command  the  post,  and  did  every  thing  in  his 
power  to  place  the  city  in  a  good  posture  for  defence. 


VICSBURGH.  411 

"  Vicksburgh,  situated  on  the  east  bank  of  the  river,  did 
good  service  as  a  depot  and  rendezvous  for  the  trans-Mississippi 
States  during  the  war,  being  the  only  safe  crossing-place  for  us. 
Thousands  of  men,  supplies, .  and  materiel  were  continually 
passing  to  and  fro — much  of  our  provisions  for  the  armies  in 
the  East  and  West  being  derived  from  Texas,  parts  of  Louis- 
iana, and  Arkansas.  In  short,  could  the  enemy  silence  our  bat- 
teries and  seize  the  town,  all  the  agricultural  products  of  the 
Northern  and  "Western  States  would  pass  down  unmolested  to 
the  Gulf ;  the  enemy  would  gain  free  access  to  the  whole  river 
front,  supply  themselves  abundantly  with  cotton,  sugar,  molas- 
ses, and  other  products,  disjoin  the  east  and  west  Mississippi 
States,  and,  having  us  fairly  on  the  flanks,  could  operate  with 
impunity  upon  numberless  points,  divide  our  forces,  and  per- 
haps subjugate  us  piecemeal.  The  east  bank  of  the  river,  for 
several  miles  above  Vicksburgh,  gradually  rises  higher  than  the 
common  level,  so  that  immediately  above  the  city  there  are  high 
bluffs,  which  command  the  river  north  and  south,  cover  the 
town,  and  can  sweep  the  peninsula  across  the  stream,  formed 
as  it  is  by  windings  of  the  river,  and  subject  to  overflows. 
The  Mississippi,  above  Vicksburgh,  runs  west  to  east,  and,  sud- 
denly bending,  runs  north  and  south ;  so  that  the  point  of  this 
peninsula  came  immediately  under  our  guns  at  the  bluffs,  and 
few  boats  could  pass  or  repass  without  receiving  damage,  since 
the  stream  at  that  point  was  not  half  a  mile  across,  and  the 
navigable  channel  immediately  under  our  batteries !  As  will 
be  seen  at  a  glance,  Vicksburgh  was  an  all-important  point  to 
the  enemy,  who,  apart  from  military  ends,  desired  free  naviga- 
tion for  their  commerce ;  it  was  a  vital  position  to  us  for  the 
same  reasons,  independent  of  the  fact  that  its  occupation  would 
end  our  campaigns  west  of  the  rive/,  throw  those  States  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  cut  us  off  from  regular  and  large 
receipts  of  commissary  stores. 

"As  the  enemy  had  swept  every  thing  before  them  on  the 
river  north  and  south  of  Vicksburgh,  it  was  considered  we 
could  make  but  a  feeble  resistance.  The  country  around  was 
only  a  cotton  district,  short  of  agricultural  supplies,  and  con- 
nected with  the  interior  and  main  army 'at  Tullahoma  by  a 
single  track  of  railroad,  much  overworked  and  unsound.  As 
June  advanced,  and  the  rivers  began  to  'rise,  the  smoke  of  nu- 


412  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

merous  gunboats  above  and  below  the  city  proved  that  the 
enemy  were  busy  reconnoitring,  and  slowly  approaching  their 
object.  Foundries  and  workshops  were  kept  busy  night  and 
day;  timber  was  hewn  on  every  side  for  breastworks,  maga- 
zines, and  hospitals ;  and,  within  a  few  days,  formidable  earth- 
works and  rifle-pits  were  dug  on  eVery  hand,  the  river-bank 
being  lined  with  marksmen  to  sweep  the  decks  should  an  ene- 
my appear.  The  streets  running  parallel  with,  and  at  right 
angles  to,  the  stream,  were  cleared  of  all  combustible  material, 
and  orders  were  given  for  women  and  children  to  leave  imme- 
diately. The  former,  for  the  most  part,  refused  to  go ;  many 
dug  holes  in  the  ground,  and  made  them  bomb-proof  and  com- 
fortable, so  that,  if  forced  by  the  gunboats,  they  could  seek 
refuge  therein.  The  whole  town  was  burning  with  patriotism, 
and  women  were  more  fierce,  if  possible,  than  the  men. 

"All  was  prepared  for  the  expected  bombardment,  yet  busi- 
ness went  on  as  before,  to  some  extent,  and  there  was'  nothing 
of  that  flurry  and  excitement  visible  among  the  people  which 
thoughts  of  a  cannonade  might  naturally  create.  Batteries  on 
the  bluff  were  manned  night  and  day,  but  so  concealed,  it  was 
impossible  to  discover  the  position  or  number  of  pieces.  In 
truth,  we  had  not  more  than  twenty  guns,  and  our  artillerists 
were  mere  novices.  They  were  eager  for  the  '  fun,'  however, 
and  were  ably  supported  by  some  splendid  troops  from  Louis- 
iana, Kentucky,  and  Mississippi,  who  would  '  rather  fight  than 
eat.'  The  women  seemed  to  have  changed  their  feminine  na- 
tures ;  they  wished  every  building  srushed  to  powder  rather 
than  give  up;  and  if  any  of  the 'Northern  soldiery  could  have 
seen  them,  young  and  old,  arming  for  the  worst,  and  bent  on 
mischief,  it  would  not  have  given  them  a  very  pleasing  idea  of 
the  reception  prepared  for  a"  Federal  landing  !  Every  thing  in- 
genuity could  devise  was  resorted  to  by  chivalric  dames  to  facili- 
tate military  preparations  —  expense,  loss,  fatigue,  and  danger 
were  despised,  and  all  were  in  rivalry  to  make  sacrifices  for  the 
common  cause,  and  even  stripped  sheets  and  blankets  from 
beds  for  the  use  of  the  sick.  More  than  this':  it  was  announced 
that  the  commandant  of  the  town  needed  flannel  for  ammuni- 
tion, and  none  could  be  obtained ;  in  less  than  an  hour  several 


PASSING  THE  BATTERIES.  413 

hundred  flannel  petticoats  were  sent  to  him  with  compliments 
of  the  late  wearers !  Could  women  do  more  ? 

"  I  was  on  picket  duty  one  morning  at  the  river  bank,  south 
of  the  town,  when  a  gunboat  was  seen  coming  up  round  the 
bend,  with  a  white  flag  flying,  and  much  speculation  ensued  as 
to  the  cause.  A  boat  soon  landed  at  the  wharf,  and  communi- 
cated with  the  commandant,  asking  for  the  surrender  of  Vicks- 
burgh,  in  the  name  of  Commodore  Farragut,  United  States 
Navy.  The  answer  was  instant,  '  Mississippians  never  sur- 
render ! '  and  the  gunboat  departed.  All  now  knew  what  was 
in  store,  and  began  cleaning  arms,  preparing  for  the  combined 
attack  of  both  fleets,  which  none  could  doubt  would  attempt  to 
unite  and  destroy  us.  The  following  day,  from  bluffs  above 
town  and  on  high  grounds  at  the  mouth  of  the  Yazoo,  a  few 
miles  above  Vicksburgh,  we  could  plainly  see  Foote's  fleet  of 
gunboats,  rams,  and  transports  steaming  down  towards  us, 
and  at  evening  descried  the  smoke  ascending  from  their  fun- 
nels, while  anchoring  west  of  the  peninsula  before  described. 
From  the  winding  .of  the  river,  this  peninsula  faces  — ,or,  as 
sailors  would  say,  '  lies  broadside  to '  —  Vicksburgh,  being 
about  half  a  mile  across ;  so  that  were  it  not  for  timber,  a 
vessel  would  be  in  sight  fof  twenty  miles  or  more,  ere  round- 
ing the  point,  and  passing  under  the  bluffs. 

"A  day  or  two  after  an  answer  had  been  returned  to  Farra- 
gut, one  of  his  iron-clads  was  signalled  from  below ;  and  soon 
after  appearing  round  the  southern  bend,  put  on  steam,  and 
advanced  rapidly  and  boldly  towards  us,  evidently  bent  on 
running  the  gauntlet,  of  our  guns,  and  joining  Foote's  fleet, 
snugly  anchored  west  of  the  peninsula,  and  screened  from  view 
by  the  woods.  Coming  within  distance,  it  was  perceived  she 
carried  numerous  and  heavy  guns,  w,as  shot  proof,  and  had  no 
one  visible  on  deck !  When  nearing  town,  under  full  head  of 
steam,  some  of  her  ports  opened,  and  heads  thrust  out,  shouted 
to  pickets  on  the  bank,  '  O,  you  God  d — d  sons  of  -  — ! ' 
and  a  torrent  of  such  like  compliments.  They  were  instantly 
answered  by  a  volley  of  small-arms,  and  quickly  dropped  the 
port-screens.  When  abreast  of  the  city,  and  steaming  boldly 
to  round  the  point,  three  or  four  of  our  guns  opened  fire  with 
round-shot,  which  plunged  about  the  gunboat,  spurting  up 


414  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

jets  and  columns  of  water  around  her.  Still  pushing  for- 
ward, her  helm,  answered  readily,  and  when  rounding  the 
point  and  abreast  of  the  bluffs,  a  quick  succession  of  bright 
flashes  glanced  from  her  dark  sides,  and,  amid  deafening  roars, 
the  ground  was  ploughed  up  in  all  directions  round  our  guns, 
while  quick  answers  from  our  side  made  the  water  spout 
around  her,  as  if  a  thousand  whales  were  blowing.  Thus  it 
continued  for  some  time,  without  intermission  —  the  gunboat 
throwing  eleven-inch  shell,  and  our  batteries  vomiting  round- 
shot.  Though  not  disabled,  it  was  clear  the  boat  had  been  re- 
peatedly struck ;  yet  when  rounding  the  point  and  getting  out 
of  danger,  she  gallantly  presented  her  port-guns  to  the  batteries, 
and,  giving  a  parting  broadside,  was  soon  hid  from  view  by 
the  trees,  and  safely  anchored  with  Foote's  flotilla. 

"It  was  now  apparent  that  we  could  do  but  little  with  the 
enemy's  iron-clads,  for  our  shot  glanced  from  their  sides  in 
showers  of  sparks,  and  damaged  them  but  slightly  :  so  that  it 
was  deemed  necessary  to  erect  a  strong  battery  south  of  the 
town  for  the  better  reception  of  other  visitors.  They  were  not 
long  in  coming,  for  being  informed  of  the  inefficiency  or  insuf- 
ficiency of  our  batteries,  several  others  ran  past,  inflicting  no 
injury,  but  in  many  cases  receiving  much.  The  two  fleets 
having  now  formed  a  junction,  prepared  to  bombard  the 
town,  and  by  way  of  preliminary,  to  get  the  range,  sent 
several  dozen  eleven-inch  shell  across  the  peninsula,  whichj 
save  a  horrible  screaming  noise,  did  little  harm,  more  than 
throw  up  tremendous  clouds  of  dust  and  sand  wherever  they 
chanced  to  fall.  The  transports  of  the  enemy  now  began  to 
assemble  rapidly,  until  a  truly  formidable  fleet  was  gathered, 
and  all  imagined  them  heavily  freighted  with  troops  destined 
to  cooperate  on  land.  Had  the  peninsula  been  less  thickly 
timbered,  our  batteries  could  have  played  sad  havoc  among 
them,  for  the  distance  was  not  more  than  a  mile  in  a  direct 
line,  yet  every  shell  thrown  by  us  was  waste  of  ammunition, 
since  the  vessels  were  so  close  in  shore,  that  it  required  more 
skill  than  our  gunners  possessed  to  clear  the  woods  with  nicety 
and  drop  shell  among  them,  drawn  up  as  they  were  in  sirigle 
line,  broadside  to  the  beach. 

"But  while  the  enemy  at  early  dawn  or  in  the  cool   of 


THE    BOMBARDMENT.  415 

evening,  and  even  long  after  starlight,  were  amusing  themselves 
with  cannonading,  Commodore  Lynch  and  a  few  young  naval 
officers  were  up  the  Yazoo  Kiver,  preparing  a  little  surprise  for 
them.  Having  blockaded  the  passage  to  the  enemy  with  im- 
mense rafts,  cut  in,  and  floated  down  from,  extensive  forests  in 
that  vast  region  of  swamps,  they  commenced  building  a  huge 
rough  iron -clad,  called  the  Arkansas,  which  was  destined  to 
sally  out  and  drive  off  the  enemy.  The  Federal  commodores 
were  fully  aware  of  our  activity  up  that  river,  and  correctly 
informed  by  negroes  of  all  our  doings  with  the  ships  and  craft 
which  had  taken  refuge  there.  The  Star  of  the  West,  which 
attempted  to  reenforce  Fort  Sumter  at  the  beginning  of  the 
war,  had  been  captured  by  us  off  the  Gulf  Coast,  and  taken 
into  New-Orleans;  but  when  Farragut  took  that  city,  this> 
with  some  three  or  four  other  sea- vessels,  and  a  fleet  of  mag- 
nificent Southern  steamboats,  steamed  up  the  Mississippi,  and 
had  run  far  up  the  Yazob  Eiver,  and  were  then  under  the 
orders  of  Commodore  Lynch.  The  enemy  had  detached  three 
of  their  finest  gunboats  from  the  fleet  at  Milliken's  Bend,  to 
watch  the  mouth  of  the  Yazoo ;  aad  to  be  ready  for  any  emer- 
gency, they  kept  up  steam  night  and  day.  So  much  for  the 
Yazoo  at  present,  but  i  shall  have  more  to  tell  you  by  and  by. 
"  The  Federal  fleet  maintained  a  hot  and  vigorous  cannonade 
upon  the  city  at  all  hours,  save  during  the  intense  heat  of  mid. 
day.  Their  troops  were  landed  from  transports,  but  never 
came  within  view.  From  scouts,  who  volunteered  as  spies, 
we  ascertained  that  they  had  seized  hundreds  of  negroes  in 
that  part  of  Louisiana,  and  were  actually  digging  a  canal  from 
Milliken's  Bend  across  the  peninsula,  which,  it  was  hoped, 
would  divert  the  waters  of  the  river  from  its  proper  bed,  and 
leave  Vicksburgh  high  and  dry  as  an  inland  city  I  The  idea 
was  a  bold  one,  and  originated  with  General  Pope,  who,  not 
able  to  pass  '  Island  No.  10  '  some  months  before,  dug  a  canal 
across  a  small  peninsula  near  New-Madrid,  in  Missouri,  and  got 
safely  in  the  rear  of  the  island,  and  captured  it.  The  present 
undertaking,  however,  did  not  promise  like  results ;  for  the 
stream  was  strong,  and  would  not  be  diverted.  Hundreds  of 
men,  both  whites  and  blacks,  sank  and  died  under  the  labor  of 

i 

cutting  this  canal,  before  the  attempt  was  discontinued. 


416  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE    SOUTH. 

"And  still  the  bombardment  progressed.  Thousands  of 
shell,  round  shot,  and  other  missiles  were  hurled  at  our  devoted 
city ;  but,  strange  to  say,  except  in  some  half-dozen  instances, 
I  know  not  one  house  which  was  more  than  slightly  injured. 
The  enemy,  on  the  other  hsind,  suffered  much  from  their  very 
inaction.  The  heats  of  July  and  the  fever  of  August  told  fear- 
fully upon  their  unacclimated  troops,  cooped  up  in  their  ships 
amid  smoke  and  heat,  and  the  deathly  night-vapors  of  the  land 
and  water.  Though  suffering  extremely  in  every  way,  they 
were  farther  from  realizing  their  hopes  than  ever.  It  was  com- 
puted they  had  at  anchor  more  than  twenty  gunboats  playing 
on  the  city,  together  with  a  land  force  of  several  thousand  men, 
and  scores  of  transpbrts  and  flats.  Ordnance  officers  affirmed 
that  they  had  fired  more  than  twelve  thousand  eleven-inch  and 
other  shells  during  the  month,  without  counting  rockets,  round 
shot,  and  iron  bolts.  For  a  few  days  they  were  inactive,  but  did 
not  prepare  to  depart.  They  had  abandoned  the  canal  project 
after  digging  more  than  a  mile,  an'd  negroes  informed  us  that 
their  wheelbarrows  and  tools  were  scattered  around  the  penin- 
sula, where  every  house  was  converted  into  an  hospital.  The 
commodores  were  nonplussed ;  and  as  their  large  fleets  lay  at 
anchor  on  the  rippleless  copper-coloredi  river,  with  a  cloudless 
sky,  under  the  scorching  sun  of  August,  without  the  echo  of  a 
voice,  without  the  motion  of  a  leaf,  or  the  flapping  of  ensigns 
from  a  breath  of  air,  the  cries  of  sand-cranes  flying  to  and  fro. 
reminded  one  of  some  river  of  death,  with  hospitals  for  ships 
and  spectres  for  crews. 

"  But  while  the  enemy  were  thus  inactive,  Commodore  Lynch 
was  hard  at  work  night  and  day,  ably  assisted  by  young  officers 
and  citizens,  fitting  out  the  ram  Arkansas  in  the  Yazoo  Eiver. 
The  name  of  this  stream  literally  means  'River  of  Death,'  so 
called  by  the  Indians  (Choctaws)  from  the  fevers,  chills,  and 
agues,  which  it  caused  in  ancient  times.  In  a  direct  line  north 
from  Yicksburgh,  it  is  not  more  than  twelve  miles  distant ;  so 
that  it  formed  an  admirable  protection  to  our  right  flank,  and 
in  case  of  attack,  Haynes's  Bluff,  some  miles  from  the  mouth, 
was  well  fortified  and  mounted,  while  yet  farther  above  was 
moored  an  enormous  raft  made  of  huge  rough  logs,  and  so 
constructed  that  it  could  be  opened  from  above,  but  not  below. 
A  few  miles  still  beyond  (near  Yazoo  City)  Commodore  Lynch 


THE  "ARKANSAS"  BUILT.  417 

bad  improvised  a  ship-yard,  and  was  busy  in  reconstructing 
various  boats  for  river  service.  You  smile,  perhaps,  but  let  me 
explain,  and  your  sarcasm  may  change  into  admiration  for  the 
indefatigable  industry  of  those  engaged  there. 

"In  the  first  place,  although  several  small  steam  sea-vessels, 
and  a  magnificent  fleet  of  river  passenger  and  freight  boats  had 
escaped  from  New-Orleans,  and  were  far  inland,  up  the  Yazoo, 
they  were  not  safe.  Naval  officers  knew  the  enemy  would  soon 
visit  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  accordingly  they  lost  no  time 
in  building  a  raft  to  retard  their  progress,  and  put  bounds  to 
Federal  curiosity.  Many  old  rafts  of  huge  cypress  logs  found 
moored  in  the  Yazoo  and  its  tributaries  were  floated  down  J 
woodmen  were  busy  in  the  timber  at  various  places,  cutting 
down  immense  trees,  the  sound  of  whose  fall,  crashing  in  the 
forest,  was  like  distant  thunder,  so  that  in  less  than  a  week  a 
raft  was  formed  in ,  two  parts,  which,  when,  made  fast,  would 
stand  '  butting '  from  all  the  '  rams '  in  Lincolndom.  Nor  could 
the  enemy  fire  it,  for  the  timber  was  so  green,  or  so  perfectly 
saturated  from  months  and  years  of  exposure  in  the  water,  it 
might  well  defy  all  the  turpentine  North-Carolina  could  pro- 
duce in  a  century  to  kindle  a  single  stick  of  it.  This  necessary 
work  having  been  speedily  and  well  accomplished,  Lynch  and 
his  officers  razed  one  of  the  vessels,  and  began  the  formation 
of  the  ungainly  Arkansas.  Carpenters,  wood-choppers,  saw- 
yers, blacksmiths,  voluntarily  gave  a  hand  to  expedite  proceed- 
ings, an  old  engine  was  placed  in  her,  and  the  work  of  plating 
commenced.  But  how  were  they  to  get  a  sufficient  supply  of 
plates,  bolts,  screws,  and  machinery,  remote  as  they  were  from 
every  source  of  supply,  in  an  out-of-the-way  river,  far  from 
Vicksburgh,  thirty  miles  from  the  nearest  railroad  station,  and 
close  to  a  very  small  town,  devoid  of  every  thing  but  cotton 
and  pretty  women?  It  would  puzzle  me  to  tell  how,  but  by 
superhuman  exertions  many  things  were  procured,  the  vessel 
was  completed,  four  large  guns  were  placed  aboard,  and  suffi- 
cient ammunition ;  and,  lastly,  plenty  of  volunteers  were  not 
wanting  to  man  her,  particularly  as  it  was  certain  she  would 
have  terrible  fighting  to  do  ere  reaching  Vicksburgh,  the  point 
of  destination.  f 

"When  finished  and  ready  for  service,  I  visited  her,  and 
27  , 


4f8  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

seeing  how  much  indifferent  material  had  been  used  in  the 
construction,  concluded  that  she  would  be  sent  to  the  bottom 
in  less  than  no  time,  when  opposed  to  the  magnificent  rams  and 
iron-clads  watching  for  her  at  the  mouth  of  the  Yazoo,  or  drawn 
up  in  parallel  lines  to  receive  her,  when  passing  the  channel  of 
the  great  river.  She  was  large,  rough,  strong,  and  ungainly — 
vulnerable  in  many  places,  and  the  top  imperfectly  covered ; 
so  that  should  a  stray  shell  drop  through  the  roof,  her  destruc- 
tion was  almost  certain,  as  the  magazine  was  somewhat  exposed. 
Many  were  desirous  of  commanding,  as  it  was  hoped  she  might 
eclipse  the  doings  of  the  old  Merrimac  in  Hampton  Eoads, 
which  sank  two  large  frigates  and  damaged  the  Monitor ;  but, 
after  a  little  reflection,  Commodore  Lynch  gave  her  in  charge 
of  a  Mississippian,  late  of  the  old  naval  service,  whose  name 
was  Brown.  This  officer  grumbled  much  at  the  deficiencies 
apparent  in  the  craft,  and  particularly  at  the  engines,  which 
were  old  and  of  doubtful  capacity. 

"  'Do  you  refuse  to  command,  sir?'  asked  the  little  Commo- 
dore ;  '  if  there  is  any  thing  you  object  to  in  her,  state  it,  and  I 
will  go  myself — either  you  or  I  must  command !' 

"  '  I  do  not  object,  sir,'  was  the  quick  reply.  '  If  you  take 
command,  I  only  ask  to  be  captain  of  a  gun — for  I'm  bound  to 
go  in  her,  in -one  capacity  or  other.' 

"  'Very  well,  sir,'  said  the  Commodore,  going  ashore  in  his 
quiet,  meek  manner;  'make  things  ship-shape  immediately, 
and  wait  for  orders.' 

"Things  were  soon  prepared,  and  orders  received.  It  was 
deemed  advisable  to  keep  the  hour  of  her  departure  a  secret, 
yet  it  became  known  in  some  way  to  the  enemy  at  the  mouth, 
who  steamed  off  and  on  all  the  time.  At  night  the  raft  was  un- 
expectedly opened  by  a  few  midshipmen,  and  the  Arkansas 
slowly  and  noiselessly  floated  several  miles  down  the  stream, 
and  was  perfectly  lost  in  the  dense  fogs  which  fall  at  evening. 
Next  morning,  at  daylight,  steam  was  raised,  and  by  keeping 
close  to  the  heavily  timbered  banks,  she  cautiously  proceeded  ; 
and,  as  the  fog  lifted,  espied  three  of  the  enemy's  finest  gun- 
boats and  ranfe  in  the  river,  near  the  mouth.  Two  of  them 
backed  down  into  the  Mississippi,  while  the  largest  opened  fire 
immediately  and  very  briskly.  The  Arkansas  was  moving 


THE   "ARKANSAS"  IN  TROUBLE. 

but  slowly  on  account  of  her  defective  engines,  but  fired  deliber- 
ately and  with  telling  effect,  crippling  the  enemy  at  the  first 
broadside,  who  ran  their  magnificent  craft  upon  the  bank,  and 
struck  colors  at  the  moment  our  boat  was  passing.  Captain 
Brown,  finding  his  engines  to  be  useless,  depended  solely  upon 
the  stream,  and  could  not  stop  to  take  the  splendid  prize,  for 
he  knew  many  boats  would  soon  appear  to  oppose  his  exit  from 
the  mouth  of  the  Yazoo ;  so,  although  using  more  steam  than 
could  be  generated,  he  boldly  pushed  into  the  Mississippi,  rapid- 
ly firing  at  the  two  gunboats  retreating  before  him. 

"  At  this  point  of  the  action  we  could  discern  all  that  trans- 
pired from  our  batteries  on  the  blufls.  As  soon  as  the  Arkan- 
sas rounded  from  the  Yazoo,  the  whole  Federal  fleet  hoisted 
anchor*  and  formed  in  two  lines — one  each  side  of  the  channel ! 
Frigates,  rams,  gunboats  —  all  were  ready  to  annihilate  that 
iron-clad  mass  of  timber  slowly  floating  towards  them.  Pres- 
ently an  iron-clad  left  her  position,  and  boldly  steaming  up 
between  the  lines  of  dark  hulls,  opened  fire  at  a  considerable 
distance.  The  Arkansas  was  silent,  and  nothing  was  seen  but 
a  rush  of  steam  as  the  monster  slowly  entered  the  channel, 
which  seemed  to  please  her  single  enemy,  who  steamed  up 
nearer  and  fired  again.  In  an  instant  the  bow  gun  of  the  rebel 
replied,  smashed  the  boiler  and  machinery  of  the  enemy — men 
jumped  overboard,  and  the  vessel  .sank  immediately!  This 
exasperated  the  fleet,  which  now  opened  with  a  terrific  roar 
from  both  squadrons,  until  the  side  of  the  Arkansas  looked  like 
a  mass  of  sparks  floating  between  parallel  lines  of  curling 
smoke.  Few  dared  approach,  however,  and  those  who  dared 
to  do  so  received  such  a  fearful  handling  that  they  immediately 
put  back,  and  were  content  to  fire  at  a  distance.  To  us  on 
the  bluff,  spectators  of  the  scene,  the  slowness  of  the  Arkansas 
was  unaccountable,  for  she  seemed  encircled  with  fire  and 
doomed  to  destruction  ere  emerging  from  the  ordeal.  '  What's 
the  matter  with  her?'  'Why  don't  she  clap  on  steam  and 
rush  through  them?'  'They'll  sink  her  in  three  minutes!' 
were  the  rerftarks  of  all.  Yet  onward  she  came,  slowly  picking 
her  way,  the  enemy  believing  she  was  only  enticing  them  in 
her  path  by  apparent  slowness  I  This  was  not  the  case,  how- 
ever ;  her  engines  were  worthless,  and  audacity  alone  was  car- 


420 


BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 


tying  her  through.  Still  fighting  at  long  range,  the  Federal 
fleet  slowly  followed,  and  the  nearer  she  approached  the  bluff 
the  quicker  the  Arkansas  fought,  until  finding  her  safely  un- 
der our  guns,  the  enemy  gave  up  the  chase,  and  amid  our 
cheers  on  the  bluff  and  a  salvo  of  guns,  the  Arkansas  slowly 
turned  the  Point  and  was  moored  before  the  city ! 

"  From  the  commotion  visible  among  the  enemy's  vessels  of 
all  classes,  the  activity  of  small  boats  passing  to  and  fro,  and 
the  succession  of  signals  exchanged  between  commanders,  it 
was  evident  that  many  of  them  were  badly  crippled,  for  several 
were  towed  to  the  banks,  and  run  upon  the  sand.  One  vessel 
had  sunk,  several  were  towed  away,  while  the  vigorous  work- 
ing of  pumps  among  them  testified  that  shots  had  penetrated  in 
different  quarters,  and  that  they  felt  infinite  relief  in  th8  escape 
of  the  Arkansas.  Various  fragments  of  wreck  soon  floated 
down  from  the  scene  of  conflict,  which  proved  that  chance  shot 
had  visited  more  than  one  unlucky  transport ;  while  with  glass- 
es we  could  perceive  two  powerful  gunboats  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Yazoo,  which,  like  ants,  were  dragging  their  crippled  com- 
panion out  of  further  danger. 

"  It  was  vexatious  to  think  that  all  the  spoil  was  escaping  us, 
and  we  felt  particularly  annoyed  that  the  gunboat  which  had 
struck  her  colors  to  the  Arkansas  in  the  Yazoo  should  thus 
easily  escape,  for  it  was  the  finest  in  the  fleet  It  could  not  be 
helped,  however,  and  when  the  truth  became  known,  re- 
garding the  utter  failure  of  our  engines,  and  the  danger  to 
which  the  Arkansas  had  been  exposed  during  her  passage,  we 
could  only  feel  surprise  that  she  had  done  so  well  and  inflicted 
so  much  loss  upon  the  enemy ;  had  the  fleets  known  the  true 
cause  of  her  slow  progress,  not  a  fragment  of  her  would  ever 
have  floated  down  so  majestically  and  triumphantly. 

"  Towards  evening,  many  of  the  enemy's  transports  moved 
up  the  river,  and  preparations  were  made  on  board  the  gun- 
boats which  seemed  to  indicate  that  powder  and  ball  were  in- 
tended for  us  in  earnest. »  As  night  closed  in,  none  expected  an 
engagement  of  any  kind,  but  alarm-guns  warned*  the  garrison 
to  be  on  the  alert,  when,  sooner  than  expected,  several  vessels 
appeared  before  our  upper  batteries,  and  the  engagement  open- 
ed with  great  fury.  While  the  bluff  batteries  were  contending 


3TCGHT  ATTACK  ON  VICKSBUEGH.  421 

with  most  of  the  fleet,  several  of  Farragut's  squadron  ran  past, 
and  opened  with  an  awful  roar  upon  the  Arkansas,  lying 
broadside  to  shore ;  while  several  boats  from  below  engaged  our 
guns  south  of  the  town.  Although  the  night  was  quite  dark, 
so  frequent  and  rapid  were  the  flashes  of  the  guns  on  both 
sides  that  every  thing  was  distinctly  visible.  The  noise  was 
•KHimliiifev  The  bluff  batteries  above,  and  south  batteries  be- 
low, the  town,  seemed  all  on  fire,  while  the  Arkansas,  engaged 
with  several  heavy  gunboats  and  frigates,  was  rocking  from  the 
immense  weight  of  metal  hurled  at  her  every  moment ;  but  as 
she  was  bound  fast  to  shore,  and  the  enemy  could  not  remain 
stationary  in  the  stream,  their  vessels  slowly  drifted  post  towards 
the  lower  batteries. 

"  For  a  long  time  this  unearthly  noise  was  maintained  on 
both  sides,  and  it  was  once  supposed  that  Farragut's  boats 
would  grapple  with  the  Arkansas  and  take  her ;  but  such  was 
her  steady  and  destructive  fire,  that  they  slunk  off  in  the  dark- 
ness to  longer  distance,  and  never  seemed  inclined  to  try  it 
again.  The  woods  facing  Vicksburgh  were  literally  blown 
down  by  chance  shots  from  our  side,  while  the  river  was  all 
afoam  with  hundreds  of  water-columns  rising  and  falling  every 
minute  from  die  same  cause.  It  is  more  than  probable  that  if 
,our  batteries  had  not  concentrated  their  fire  upon  the  enemy 
engaged  with  our  solitary  iron-clad,  it  would  have  fallen  into 
their  hands;  but  such  a  shower  of  shot  and  shell  assailed  them 
from  three  points,  and  so  incessant  was  the  storm  of  small-shot 
poured  into  their  ports  and  decks,  that  it  was  impossible  for  a 
human  being  to  appear  without  instant  loss  of  life.  After  a 
fierce  and  obstinate  engagement,  the  enemy's  boats  escaped 
down  the  river  in  a  crippled  condition,  while  the  upper  fleet 
moved  up-stream  with  great  expedition  amid  the  prolonged 
and  enthusiastic  cheering  of  our  garrison  and  citizens,  who 
lined  the  works,  making  night  hideous  with  their  wild  and 
defiant  «hTu»1m 

"Thus  ended  the  first  bombardment  of  Vicksburgh.  I  am 
sorry  to  say  that  not  less  than  four  or  five  of  our  men  were 
lolled  and  some  half-dozen  wounded  on  board  the  gallant  iron- 
clad, most  of  them  receiving  injuries  in  the  night  attack  of  the 
enemy's  gunboats.  Beyond  these  cannaltifn  I  hear  of  none  what- 


422  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

evjer  throughout  the  garrison.  All  are  in  the  highest  spirits, 
and  desirous  of  meeting  the  enemy  again  at  any  time  and  in 
any  number.  Yours  always,  .  *  *  * 

"  P.  S. — I  open  this  to  say  that  our  cavalry  and  a  light  bat- 
tery far  up  the  riv*  have  succeeded  in  capturing  the  Federal 
despatch-boat,  and  destroyed  it,  after  securing  all  the  letters 
and  despatches  of  the  fleet.  I  glean  this  from  head- quarters; 
the  telegram  came  an  hour  ago.  Yan  Dorn  says  the  enemy 
admit  a  great  loss  among  them  from  various  causes,  and  are 
afraid  the  Arkansas  may  run  down  to  New-Orleans  and  play 
havoc  among  them  there !  Four  gunboats  are  disabled,  two 
sunk,  and  several  others  require  expensive  repairs.  More 
anon." 


CITAPTER  XL. 

Movements  in  Virginia  and  Preparation  for  the  Fall  Campaign  —  Pope,  and  the 
New  Federal  Army  on  the  Rappahannock — Combinations  of  the  Enemy  devel- 
oping by  McClellan  on  our  Right  and  Pope  on  the  Left — Preparations  and  Dis- 
positions of  General  Lee — Jackson  is  sent  in  the  Van — What  he  does,  and  the 
Manner  of  doing  it — He  breaks  the  Advance  Corps  of  his  old  Friend  Banks— 
Battle  of  Cedar  Mountain. 

DESPITE  the  manoeuvring  of  McClellan's  forces  south  of 
the  James  Eiver,  and  the  threatened  advance  of  Burnside  from 
Suffolk  and  Norfolk,  as  if  to  form  a  junction  and  cooperate  with 
him,  the  true  state  of  the  case  was  soon  perceived  by  our  corps 
of  observation  at  Petersburgh.  Either  indecision  prevailed  in 
the  councils  of  the  two  generals,  or  all  their  movements  near 
the  seaboard  were  intended  to  hold  us  in  check  upon  the  James, 
while  the  large  forces  of  Pope,  on  the  Rappahannoclj:  and 
Rapidan,  should  obtain  eligible  positions,  and  perhaps  advance 
so  far  as  to  be  beyond  our  power  to  arrest  them.  It  is  possi- 
ble that  conflicting  opinions  existed  between  McClellan  and 
Burnside,  as  was  also  known  to  be  the  case  between  the  first- 
named  and  Pope.  Burnside  was  ambitious — he  was  consid- 
ered "a  successful  man,"  from  his  capture  of  Roanoke  Island, 
and  "full  of  promise;"  McClellan  had  yet  to  win  his  spurs, 
and  was  now  bullied  by  a  brutal  press  for  being  unsuccessful. 
Burnside  was  politically  allied  to  the  Government ;  McClellan 
was  not.  Burnside  was  desirous  of  superseding  McClellan  in 
command  of  the  "  Grand  Army,"  or  what  remained  of  it,  while 
the  latter  was  actuated  by  pure  military  feeling,  and  perhaps 
scarcely  cared  who  commanded,  if  only  success  could  be  in- 
sured. Thus,  although  it  seemed  probable  at  one  time  that  a 
junction  of  their  forces  might  ensue,  McClellan's  desires  were 
thwarted,  and  Burnside  was  ordered  roun'd  to  reenforce  Pope. 

Finding  that  the  expected  reenforcement  of  Burnside  was 
hopeless,  McClellan  withdrew  his  troops  from  the  south  side, 


424  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

and  quietly  prepared  to  leave  the  peninsula,  which  he  now  con- 
sidered untenable.  But  before  this  final  movement  of  the 
much-abused  McClellan  took  place,  General  Lee  perceived  the 
scene  of  action  was  rapidly  changing  from  the  James  to  the 
Rappahannock,  and  that  every  available  man  at  the  North  was 
being  despatched  Vith  all  haste  to  Pope.  Banks,  with  a  strong 
corps  of  New-England  troops,  was  stationed  within  a  short  dis- 
tance of  Culpeper  Court-House,  while  strong  detachments  of 
cavalry  and  artillery  had  penetrated  even  so  far  southward  as 
Gordonsville,  but  did  not  retain  possession  of  that  all-impor- 
tant point.  They  were  merely  feeling  the  way  to  its  ultimate 
occupation.  This  was  perfectly  known  to  us,  and  the  value  of 
Gordonsville  fully  appreciated ;  for  the  only  two  routes  to 
Richmond ,  and  the  South  united  there,  and,  if  once  strongly 
garrisoned  by  the  enemy,  they  would  circumscribe  all  our  op- 
erations, and  cause  the  fall  of  Richmond  without  the  absolute 
necessity  of  losing  a  man. 

7V  Secrecy  has  been  the  characteristic  of  all  our  movements; 
civilians  are  seldom  allowed  admission  to  our  camps  under  any 
pretence  ;  strong  guards  always  encircle  our  lines,  so  that  it  is 
almost  an  impossibility  to  gain  entrance.  Thus,  until  the  latest 
moment,  none  know  the  destination  of  troops,  or  the  object  in 
view,  and  even  then  brigadiers  are  frequently  no  better  in- 
formed than  the  humblest  patriot  in  the  ranks.  If  this  is  true 
of  movements  generally,  it  is  peculiarly  so  in  regard  to  the 
rapid  marches  of  "Stonewall;"  for  a  person  might  as  reason- 
ably "  whistle  jigs  to  a  mile-stone  "  as  attempt  to  gleam  inform- 
ation from  the  sharp-eyed,  tart,  sarcastic,  crabbed-spoken  Jack- 
son. When  his  corps  received  orders  to  move,  some  imagined 
merely  "  a  change  of  camps,*'  or  some  such  indifferent  move- 
ment ;  yet  when  Richmond  was  left  far  to  the  south,  and  the 
column  proceeded  rapidly  in  a  north-western  direction,  many 
old  campaigners  began  to  whistle  ominously,  and  with  a  mys- 
terious wifik  in  the  direction  of  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  would 
sarcastically  observe,  "Lee's  short  of  rations  again!  Jackson's 
detailed  to  go  to  the  commissary  I"  in  allusion  to  the  immense 
supplies  more  than  once  captured  by  Jackson  from  the  unfor- 
tunate Banks. 

While  our  columns  were  toiling  along  the  dusty  roads,  in  a 


GENERAL    BANES  OUTWITTED.  425 

westward  course,  cavalry  had  been  pushed  ahead  several  days 
before,  and  were  scouring  the  country  in  all  directions  south- 
west, driving  small  detachments  of  the  enemy  before  them.  No 
action  or  combat  of  importance,  however,  had  occurred  save  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Gordonsville,  where  a  sharp  cavalry  en- 
counter took  place,  with  Joss  on  both  sides ;  yet  the  enemy 
rapidly  fell  back  towards  the  Eapidan,  and  seemed  disinclined 
to  operate  in  the  fine  open  country  south  of  it.  This  was  gene- 
ralship. They  knew  not  what  force  was  approaching;  by 
crossing  the  stream  and  destroying  the  bridges,  a  deep  unford- 
able  river  was  left  in  our  front,  which  would  occasion  much 
delay ;  and  as  Culpeper  was  as  a  pivot-point  by  which  the  ene- 
,my  could  keep  open  the  communication  with  their  main  army 
under  Pope,  approaching  east  by  north ;  with  Miles  advancing 
from  the  west  through  the  Valley  with  a  heavy  force,  and  with 
Washington  nearly  due  north ;  Banks  had  massed  his  troops 
in  a  wooded  plain  near  Cedar  Mountain.  Pope  was  not  more 
than  thirty  miles  to  his  left,  with  large  masses  advancing ;  while 
Miles,  with  fourteen  thousand  of  all  arms,  was  midway  up  the 
Valley,  distant  some  forty  or  more  miles  to  his  right.  The 
passage  of  the  Kapidan,  it  was  well  known,  would  be  hotly 
disputed,  and  particularly  at  the  railroad-bridge,  for  all  the  best 
roads  to  Culpeper  cross  and  recross  in  the  neighborhood. 
When,  therefore,  our  advance  appeared  on  the  south  bank, 
fierce  and  heavy  cannonading  ensued,  which  lasted  several 
hours,  and  was  so  obstinately  maintained  on  our  part  as  to 
attract  the  attention  of  Banks  himself,  inland  and  further  up 
the  stream. 

It  was  confidently  expected  we  should  cross  at  this  point, 
but  Jackson  had  made  other  arrangements,  and  unexpectedly 
crossed  over  much  higher  up,  north-westward,  without  the  loss 
of  a  man.  Our  movements  were  evidently  too  rapid  for  Banks ; 
indeed,  no  possible  despatch  could  save  him,  for  if  fve  were  so 
inclined,  it  was  in  our  power  to  force  a  general  engagement 
before  any  of  the  other  divisions  could  arrive  to  his  succor. 

Once  across  the  river,  our  order  of  march  was  changed ;  so 
that  at  any  given  moment  the  columns  could  deploy  and  not  be 
subjected  to  confusion  or  surprise.  With  strong  detachments 
of  cavalry  to  the  front,  fimned  out  in  skirmishing  order,  the 


426  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

enemy's  movements  were  closely  watched ;  light-armed,  well- 
tried  infantry  followed  at  intervals,  supported  by  light  and  ac- 
tive batteries,  and,  last  of  all,  the  main  army  which,  in  separate 
columns,  pushed  along  roads  and  through  the  fields  with  elastic 
step,  expecting  every  moment  to  be  thrown  into  line. 

While  standing  on  a  hill  which  overlooks  the  railroad-bridge, 
the  panorama  of  this  beautiful  grass  country  was  presented  to 
my  view  in  a  charming  prospect.  At  my  feet  ran  the  Bapidan, 
flowing  north-eastwardly,  and  debouching  in  the  Eappahan- 
nock  many  miles  away.  All  the  landscape,  north  and  'east, 
was  an  undulating  plain,  plentifully  timbered  at  intervals,  while 
to  the  north-west  and  west  rose  parallel  chains  of  hills  and 
mountains,  which,  farther  inland,  inclose  the  beautiful  Valley 
of  the  Shenandoah.  In  the  gorgeous  sunset  of  an  Indian  sum- 
mer, with  its  varied  tints  of  blue,  gold,  purple,  and  orange,  the 
face  of  the  country  was  one  indescribable  vista  of  sunlight  and 
shade.  In  the  distance  various  streams  pursued  their  devious 
course,  now  lost  in  the  forest,  now  sparkling  in  the  open — 
only  the  pen  or  pencil  of  one  inspired  could  give  the  faintest 
conception  of  this  verdant,  fruitful,  and  delightful  region.  Far 
away  in  the  distance,  white,  and  red  brick  houses  dotted  the 
undulating  farms ;  yet  not  a  sign  of  life  was  discernible,  no 
flocks,  no  cattle,  no  horses ;  the  country  was  deserted — the 
young  in  the  army,  the  old  ruthlessly  driven  from  their  home- 
steads. 

"When  the  sun  was  sinking,  distant  reports  of  musketry,  far 
in  advance,  informed  us  that  our  vanguard  were  already  skir- 
mishing with  the  enemy,  and  driving  in  their  outposts.  Most 
of  the  firing  seemed  to  be  in  the  direction  of  Cedar  Eun,  or 
Cedar  Mountain,  about  seven  miles  from  Culpeper,  where  the 
enemy  were  drawn  up  in  order  of  battle,  with  an  effective 
strength  of  more  than  thirty  thousand  men,  well  supplied  with 
artillery.  The  day  was  too  far  advanced  for  an  engagement, 
and  as  thdr  precise  position  could  not  be  ascertained,  Jackson 
was  busily  engaged  along  our  lines,  making  every  disposition 
for  the  morrow. 

From  dusty  and  weary  scouts  who  arrived  during  night,  we 
ascertained  something  regarding  the  true  position  of  Banks's 
army.  A  few  of  these  adventurous  spirits  had  been  prowling 


BATTLE   OF  CEDAR  MOUNTAIN.  427 

about  the  enemy's  encampments  in  different  parts  of  the 
country,  and  had  discovered  the  following  facts :  One  of  the 
enemy's  army  corps,  under  Sigel,  was  on  their  right  among  the 
hills  at  Sperry  ville,  watching  the  roads  and  all  direct  communi- 
cation with  their  rear  at  Mount  Washington,  Warrenton,  and 
Manassas  Junction ;  a  heavy  force  was  stationed  on  Pope's  left, 
at  or  near  "Waterloo  on  the  Rappahannock,  while  somewhat  to 
the  rear  of  Banks  and  Pope  was  McDowell's  corps.  It  was 
concluded  with  reason  that  these  various  bodies  would  be  un- 
able to  appear  upon  the  field  to  assist  Banks,  should  Jackson 
force  him  to  engage  on  the  following  day,  (Saturday,  August 
ninth.) 

During  the  night,  pickets,  in  our  extreme  front,  were  popping 
away  at  each  other  occasionally,  and  early  in  the  morning  our 
advance,  was  resumed,  cautiously  and  slowly.  As  the  country 
was  admirably  adapted  for  concealment,  our  strength  and  posi- 
tion were  never  truly  ascertained  by  the  enemy's  cavalry  out- 
posts, sq  that  although  our  cavalry  on  the  right  were  enjoying 
a  merry  time  with  those  of  Pope,  our  artillery  gradually  ap- 
proached Cedar  Mountain,  and  took' up  a  strong  position  on  the 
north  side  of  it,  unknown  to  the  enemy.  As  this  mountain-side 
commanded  the  sloping  corn-fields  and  woods,  stretching  away 
at  its  base  and  sweeping  the  Federal  advance,  Jackson  ordered 
to  advance  large  bodies  of  skirmishers  in  order  to  draw  the  en- 
emy forward. 

Desultory  picket-firing  occupied  most  of  the  morning ;  and 
when  noon  had  passed,  many  imagined  that  old  "  Stonewall " 
would  defer  an  attack  till  the  morrow ;  but  those  who  had  served 
with  him,  knowing  well  his  mode  of  warfare,  laughed  at  the  idea. 
"Jackson  is  too  wise  to  defer  an  engagement,"  said  they;  "and 
is  fully  aware  that,  by  to-morrow,  Sigel  and  others  will  be  up 
within  supporting  distance  and  may  overwhelm  him.  Besides, 
when  our  general  commences  late  in  the  day,  he  can  soon  beat 
his  enemy  if  both  are  equal  in  force ;  but  if  he  gets  badly 
handled,  he  can  still  fight  on  until  dark,  and  if  need  be,  receive 
reenforcements  or  retreat  during  night."  Such  in  truth  had 
been  Jackson's  method  in  many  engagements ;  for,  nearly  al- 
ways outnumbered,  he  had  either  vanquished  the  enemy  before 
nightfall  after  a  few  hours'  engagement,  or  had  securely  retreat- 
ed after  severely  punishing  them.  So  on  this  occasion,  when 


428  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

skirmishing  became  more  brisk  during  the  afternoon,  and  our 
advance  posts  gradually  fell  back  towards  the  mountain,  it  was 
evident  that  Banks  was  determined  to  push  us  hard,  and  begin 
the  engagement.  This  exactly  suited  Jackson,  who  had  posted 
a  heavy  force  of  artillery  on  the  hill-side,  which  at  a  given  sig- 
nal would  open  upon  the  enemy's  flanks  and  finish  the  work. 

It  was  now  about  five  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  infantry  fire 
had  become  more  regular  and  sustained;  regiments  could  be 
plainly  seen  advancing  or  retreating  through  the  fields,  but 
what  precise  order  of  battle  was  maintained  upon  our  side  could 
not  be  well  ascertained  on  account  of  the  broken  character  of 
the  country.  Clearly,  Banks  was  ignorant  of  the  existence  of  a 
flanking  force  ready  to  assail  him  from  the  hill,  or  he  would 
not  have  advanced  his  infantry  so  close  under  it.  His  immedi- 
ate object  was  to  capture  or  displace  some  few  pieces  of  artille- 
ry which,  posted  in  the  edge  of  a  wood,  caused  much  destruc- 
tion among  his  advancing  columns,  which  pieces  also  he  fool- 
ishly imagined  were  unsupported.  The  infantry  thus  far  had 
been  hotly  engaged  on  both  sides,  and  it  rather  appeared  as  if 
ours  were  falling  back.  But  this  was  a  ruse. 

Gathering  together  several  brigades  in  which  he  had  most 
confidence,  Banks  ordered  them  to  charge  the  guns  before  men- 
tioned, and  Crawford's  brigade  gallantly  rushed  forward  in  ful- 
filment of  the  order.  Our  gunners  seeing  the  intended  move- 
ment, slackened  fire,  and  reserved  their  strength  until  the  pro- 
per moment ;  while  several  regiments  of  infantry,  in  support, 
cocked  their  rifles  and  lay  on  their  faces  concealed  in  the  tim- 
ber. As  soon  as  the  attacking  column  had  emerged  into  open 
ground  and  deployed,  advancing  with  shouts  to  the  charge, 
grape,  canister,  and  shell  assailed  them  from  several  pieces,  and 
broke  them  in  a  moment. 

Banks  was  angry,  and  determined  to  force  our  position. 
Other  brigades  were  quickly  brought  to  the  front  and  advanced 
over  the  dead  bodies  of  their  comrades,  our  gunners  watching 
their  approach,  and  at  the  right  moment  discharging  their 
pieces  with  such  accuracy  that  the  attacking  force  seemed  liter- 
ally to  melt  away.  Then  our  infantry  suddenly  rose  from  their 
ambush,  and  giving  a  withering  volley  at  short  distance,  yelled 
and  charged.  Broken  and  demoralized  as  they  undoubtedly 


BATTLE  OP  CEDAR   MOUNTAIN"  429 

were  after  this  short  but  bloody  engagement,  it  required  but 
little  more  effort  to  rout  the  enemy's  right  wing.  This  was  ac- 
complished by  suddenly  throwing  forward  our  left,  which  threw 
the  enemy  into  such  confusion  that  one  whole  brigade,  under 
General  Prince,  was  reduced  to  a  crowd  of  fugitives,  running 
they  knew  not  whither. 

The  attack  of  Banks  had  evidently  failed,  his  centre  and  left 
were  irreparably  broken ;  while,  to  add  to  his  confusion  and 
dismay,  our  cannon  on  the  hill-side,  immediately  commanding 
the  field,  opened  rapidly  upon  his  broken  forces,  as  they  re- 
treated in  the  wildest  confusion  from  the  scene.  '  The  advance 
was  now  taken  up,  and  we  drove  the  remnants  of  their  army 
before  us  a  considerable  distance ;  but  they  retired  so  rapidly 
that  was  impossible  to  overtake  them.  From  causes,  then  un- 
known to  me,  we  were  suddenly  halted,  and  took  up  positions 
originally  occupied  when  the  action  opened  two  hours  before. 
Finding  us  disinclined  to  pursue,  Banks  halted  his  men  also, 
not  far  from  the  battle-field,  and  the  smoke  of  their  camp-fires 
was  soon  seen  ascending  over  the  trees. 

While  our  weary  soldiers  were  seeking  rest  after  this  brief 
but  bloody  battle,  parties  of  horsemen  moved  from  point  to 
point,  apparently  to  guard  against  any  attempt  on  the  part  of 
the  enemy  to  occupy  the  battle-field  and  despoil  it  of  our  valua- 
ble booty.  This  was  our  first  surmise ;  but  when  it  was  ascer- 
tained that  squadrons  of  Stuart's  cavalry  were  also  in  motion,  it 
was  certain  that  some  dashing  achievement  was  in  contempla- 
tion. It  was  like  watching  a  succession  of  scenes  on  the  stage. 
As  the  evening  grew  dark  a  party  of  horsemen  appeared  on  the 
field  as  if  to  take  notes ;  several  of  them  dismounted,  and  ap- 
peared to  be  conversing  angrily  and  gesticulating  wildly,  when 
suddenly  a  party  of  our  men  dashed  from  the  thicket  and  mad- 
ly spurred  towards  them.  The  enemy  were  annoyed,  but  evi- 
dently were  not  to  be  surprised,  for,  the  distance  being  consid- 
erable, they  hastily  remounted  and  galloped  off.  Our  troopers 
boldly  plunged  forward  after  them,  and  frequent  shots  were 
heard  in  the  direction  they  had  taken.  After  some  time  our 
men  returned  with  a  few  prisoners,  who  informed  us  that  the 
Federal  horsemen  pursued  were  none  other  than  General  Pope 
and  other  officers  of  distinction,  who,  it  seems,  had  the  impu- 


430  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

dence  to  ride  upon  the  ground  in  order  to  make  it  appear  that 
the  field  was  theirs ! 

Every  one  thought  it  a  pity  that  Pope  had  not  been  .cap- 
tured ;  our  men  heartily  hated  him  for  his  ruthless  cruelty*  to 
the  inhabitants  of  the  country,  and  his  extraordinary  amount  of 
vanity  and  bombast.  It  was  ascertained  from  these  prisoners, 
also,  that  General  McDowell's  forces  had  arrived,  and  that 
Sigel  was  rapidly  approaching,  so  that  by  the  morrow  there 
would  be  two  full  corps  before  us,  irrespective  of  Banks,  who 
was  still  in  front.  It  was  well,  therefore,  that  Jackson  had  not 
pushed  forward  too  far,  or  it  must  have  precipitated  an  engage- 
ment on  the  morrow,  in  which  he  could  not  reasonably  have 
expected  to  be  successful.  The  commands  of  McDowell,  Sigel, 
and  Banks,  amonmted  originally  to  sixty  thousand  men,  with  a 
heavy  force  of  artillery ;  while  the  most  that  Jackson  could 
muster  numbered  from  twenty  thousand  to  twenty-five  thou- 
sand. Posted  as  we  were,  our  position  could  have  made  a 

*  I  think  it  unnecessary  to  dwell  at  length  upon  the  brutality  practised  by  Pope's 
troops  upon  the  poor  people  of  Virginia,  but  annex  one  instance  as  an  example  of 
their  ruffianism  and  cowardice.  The  facts  are  derived  from  a  private  and  confi- 
dential letter : 

"  Federal  atrocities  in  Virginia  far  outstrip  all  tales  of  fiction.  Rape,  arson,  and 
theft  seem  to  be  the  constant  attendants  of  an  army  professing  to  fight  for  the 
Union.  A  recital  bf  the  horrible  murders  that  mark  its  bloody  attack,  one  might 
suppose,  would  appal  the  doomed  of  Hades.  Mrs.  Fitzhugh,  of  Ravensworth  — 
mother  of  the  late  Andrew  Fitzhugh,  of  the  Navy  — a  lady  of  distinguished  posi- 
tion, and  one  singularly  embodying  the  graces  and  virtues  of  her  sex,  was  brutally 
murdered  in  front  of  her  house.  Ravensworth,  the  family-seat  of  the  Fitzhughs, 
you  know,  is  one  of  the  oldest  estates  in  Virginia  ;  it  has  been  in  the  family  since 
the  reign  of  Charles  the  Second,  from  whom  it  was  received  as  a  grant,  and  has  ever 
been  noted  as  a  place  where  a  profuse  hospitality  was  dispensed  by  as  gentle  and 
refined  a  people  as  live. 

"  The  old  lady,  who  was  over  eighty  years  of  age,  infirm  and  blind,  leaning  on 
the  arm  of  her  maid,  was  taking  a  little  exercise  in  front  of  her  mansion,  when 
the  girl  suddenly  cried  out,  '  0  mistress  !  there  come  the  Yankees !'  and  in  ter- 
ror ran  to  the  house.  Mrs.  Fitzhugh  called  out  to  her,  '  Don't  leave  me  alone  with 
these  vile  Yankees  ! '  when  one  of  them  approached,  and,  with  the  butt  of  his  gun, 
killed  her  !  Shortly  after,  two  of  her  daughters,  who  had  been  visiting  a  neighbor, 
returned.  One  of  them  was  seized  and  sent  to  Washington  a  prisoner  —  the 
other,  so  appalled  at  seeing  her  mother  weltering  in  blood,  became  speechless ! 
The  latter  was  left  by  the  soldiers,  who,  on  retiring,  laughingly  remarked :  '  Well, 
you  can  now  bury  the  old  hag  —  God  b — t  her  !'  "  Instances  like  this  could  be 
multiplied,  but  their  recital  is  too  revolting.  Indeed,  none  would  ever  credit  the 
atrocities  of  Pope's  army  were  they  not  upon  the  spot  and  eye-witness  to  them. 


NIGHT  ATTACK.  431 

\ 

strong  defence,  if  attacked  in  force  by  Pope  on  the  morrow; 
but  of  this  there  were  no  indications. 

Perceiving  that  his  old  friend  Banks  was  unwilling  to  leave 
the  vicinity  of  the  battle-field,  and  positive  that  he  would,  as 
usual,  claim  it  as  his  own,  Jackson  determined  to  put  the  dis- 
puted question,  beyond  all  doubt  by  forcing  him,  in  a  rough 
sort  of  way,  to  change  his  camps  at  an  inconvenient  and  un- 
comfortable time.  About  midnight,  therefore,  while  the  beaten 
and  prostrate  enemy  were  fast  asleep  round  their  smouldering 
camp-fires,  pur  artillery  on  the  hill-side  suddenly  opened,  and, 
with  a  deafening  roar,  threw  shot  and  shell  among  them  with 
great  rapidity  and  precision.  In  truth,  it  was  a  pretty  sight  to 
see  this  dark  hill-side,  in  bold  relief  against  a  pale  blue  sky, 
suddenly  illuminated  by  a  semi-circular  sheet  of  flame,  hurling 
death  and  destruction  upon  the  numberless  flickering  camp- 
fires  that  dotted  the  plain.  It  was  sad,  at  the  same  time,  to 
reflect  upon  the  fate  of  men  thus  aroused  from  sleep  to  be  hur- 
ried into  eternity.  Such,  however,  are  the  stern  necessities 
of  war. 

The  noise  and  confusion  among  the  awakened  slumberers 
were  indescribable,  and  pickets  at  the  outposts  informed  us 
that  they  could  distinctly  hear  field-officers  shouting  and  gal- 
loping about  in  the  darkness,  vainly  endeavoring  to  rally 
their  commands.  Wagons  -  and  guns,  infantry  and  cavalry, 
were  suddenly  put  in  motion,  and 'the  receding  noise  did  not 
subside  for  several  hours.  The  loss  to  the  enemy  by  this  un- 
expected cannonade  must  have  been  great,  yet,  whatever  it 
might  have  been,  their  generals  never  openly  confessed  to  it. 
All  that  we  could  subsequently  gather  amounted  to  this  —  that 
large  masses  of  men  were  so  panic-stricken,  that,  with  or  with- 
out officers,  they  rushed  to  the  rear,  and  did  not  stop  running 
until  they  reached  Culpeper. 

"While  all  had  reason  enough  to  rejoice  in  the  signal  discom- 
fiture of  a  foe  who  had  been  laying  waste  the  land  with 
fire  and  sword,  many  mourned  the  untimely  end  of  Brigadier- 
General  Winder,  who  had  fallen  during  the  day  while  gallantly 
leading  his  command  into  action  upon  the  enemy's  flank.  The 
event  was  particularly  memorable ;  and  the  more  to  be  lament- 
ed from  the  fact  that  it  occurred  while  extricating  the  original 
"Stonewall  brigade"  from  an  awkward  position  to  which  it 


432  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

had  been  forced  by  the-  superior  numbers  of  the  enemy.  Our 
men,  however,  had  amply  revenged  his  fall.  General  Prince, 
together  with  thirty  commissioned  officers,  and  upwards  of 
three  hundred  other  prisoners,  had  been  marched  to  the  rear 
and  sent  to  Kichmond.  The  officers,  indeed,  were  handcuffed 
and  treated  in  the  exact  manner  prescribed  for  the  rebels  by 
Pope  and  his  inhuman  subordinates,  who  had  been  ruling 
with  a  rod  of  iron  among  a  peaceable  and  inoffensive  rural 
population.  The  number  of  arms  found  upon  .the  field  I 
never  ascertained,  but  knew  that  the  booty  was  considerable. 

All  expected  that  hostilities  would  recommence  on  the  mor- 
row, but  from  ignorance  of  our  true  position  and  strength, 
Pope  deferred  all  operations  for  that  day.  The  enemy,  how- 
ever, were  so  anxious  that  the  field  should  be  regarded  as 
their  own,  that  when  our  burying  parties  were  set  to  work 
they  made  a  pretence  of  performing  the  same  duty.  They 
did  not,  however,  confine  themselves  to  the  removal  of  the 
dead,  but  began  to  gather  up  the  scattered  arms,  leaving  the 
dead  to  our  charge.  Perceiving  this,  our  artillery  opened  with 
such  effect  as  to  completely  disperse  them.  Next  day,  how- 
ever, Jackson  sent  forward  a  flag  of  truce,  giving  Banks  per- 
mission to  bury  his  dead,  which  was  readily  accepted  ;  pro- 
vision was  of  course  taken  to  prevent  the  Yankees  from  prying 
too  clpsely  into  our  position  and  number.  During  the  truce 
many  officers  of  both  armies  met  and  conversed  upon  the  field,-, 
and  all  seemed  animated  with  the  best  of  feeling.  General 
Stuart  was  among  the  first  to  mount  his  horse  to  trot  over  the 
field ;  and  while  engaged  in  conversation,  up  rode  his  old  com- 
panion in  arms,  Brigadier-General  Hartsuff,  of  the  Federal 
cavalry,  and  politely  saluting  him,  jocularly  remarked :  "Hal- 
lo! Stuart,  my  boy,  how  goes  it?  who'd  a  thought  of  such 
changes  within  so  short  a  time?  I  was  over  you  once,  you 
know ;  now'  you're  a  full  major-general,  and  I  but  a  simple 
brigadier." 

It  cannot  be  denied  that  much  bravery  had  been  displayed 
by  both  armies  in  this  brief  encounter,  and  the  brigades  led 
forward  against  our  batteries  behaved  wonderfully  well.  This 
did  not  Surprise  us  when  we  learned  that  they  were  for  the  most 
part  composed  of 'New- York  and  Pennsylvania  troops.  Many 


A   TRUCE.  x 

of  our  own  officers,  indeed,  had  shown  unexampled  pluck  and 
endurance ;  one  instance  ( of  which  particularly  struck  me.  A 
major  in  command  of  his  regiment  (the  colonel  being  disabled) 
had  led  it  into  a  rather  "  hot "  place,  and  was  obliged  to  retire, 
with  part  of  his  nose  shot  off,  his  left  arm  shot  through  and 
through,  the  toe  of  his  boot  shot  away,  and  he  had  a  flesh 
wound  in  his  thigh.  Having  had  his  nose  bandaged  and  his 
arm  put  in  a  'sling,  while  the  regiment  was  re-fonning,  he 
mounted  his  horse  again  and  shouted  out,  "Comejon,  boys,  for- 
ward !  we'll  pay  'em  off  for  that  last  trick  of  theirs ;"  and 
pushed  forward  into  battle  again.  I  was  also  informed  of  a 
brave  colonel,  who,  being  shot,  had  fallen  from  his  horse  and 
injured  himself  much  internally.  His  sole  thought,  however, 
was  of  his  regiment,  and  though  unable  to  ride,  begged  two 
men  on  foot  to  support  him  in  the  rear,  so  that  he  might  super- 
intend the  movements  of  his  men,  just  as  the  enemy  were  in  full 
flight  from  the  field. 

Jackson's  inactivity  surprised  all  who  knew  him.  None 
could  imagine  why  he  remained  so  long  before  a  powerful  ene- 
my, and  made  no  movements  qf  any  kind.  It  seemed,  how- 
ever, that  he  was  waiting  for  some  demonstration  from  the  foe, 
and  this  not  being  vouchsafed,  he  was  content  to  fall  back  again 
at  his  leisure  over  the  Eapidan,  and  there  await  the  main  army, 
which  all  knew  was  now  rapidly  marching  'from  Eichmond  to 
cooperate  with  him.  McClellan,  we  were  informed,  had  effected 
his  escape  from  Harrison's  Landing,  and  was  doubtless  trans- 
porting his  troops  to  Washington.  It  was  possibly  Lee's  plan 
to  overwhelm  Pope  and  his  "  Army  of  Virginia  "  ere  the  re- 
mains of  McClellan's  "  Army  of  the  Potomac  "  could  come  to 
his  assistance.  This,  however,  was  only  the  gossiping  surmise 
of  subordinate  officers,  for  generals  of  divisions  never  opened 
their  lips,  nor  even  deigned  to  smile.  It  seemed  to  be  the  am- 
bition of  those  mysterious  individuals,  now  in  particular,  to 
exhibit  a  cold  and  reserved  demeanor ;  to  be  active,  and  at  the 
same  time  solemn  in.  their  deportment. 
28 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

August  twelfth  to  thirty-first. — Pope,  still  in  force,  watches  Jackson  on  the  Rapidan — 
The  rapid  Concentration  of  Confederate  Forces  there — Retreat  of  Pope  to  the  Rap- 
pahannock, who  establishes  his  Head-quarters  at  Catlett's  Station — Stuart  makes  an 
effort  to  capture  that  General,  but  arriving  too  late,  seizes  all  his  Wearing  Apparel, 
Books,  Papers,  Plans,  Private  and  Official  Correspondence — Successful  Flank 
Movement  of  Jackson  round  Pope's  Right  and  Rear — He  captures  and  destroys 
immense  Stores  at  Manassas  Junction,  and  disperses  a  Brigade  sent  from  Alexan- 
dria to  protect  them — Sudden  Retreat  of  Pope's  Army  towards  Manassas — En- 
gages Jackson  with  superior  Forces,  but  without  Results — Advance  of  Longstreet 
through  Thoroughfare  Gap,  who  soundly  thrashes  General  Reno,  stationed  there 
to  dispute  the  Passage — Longstreet  forms  a  Junction  with  Jackson  on  the  latter's 
Right — Arrival  of  General  Lee — Heavy  Reenforcements  pour  into  Pope's  Army — 

Second  Battle  of  Manassas — Rout  of  the  Enemy — Scenes  on  the  Battle-field. 

I 

WE  had  not  remained  many  days  south  of  the  Rapidan  before 
we  received  large  reenforcements,  and  the  activity  of  couriers 
and  quartermasters  betokened  an  early  movement.  Many  of 
our  scouts  had  been  out  several  days,  but  we  could  glean  little 
from  them  except  that  Pope  was  still  in  front,  and  that  firing 
was  of  daily  occurrence  across  the  river.  On  the  sixteenth  we 
learned  that  a  change  of  position  had  taken  place  among  the 
enemy,  and  that  Sigel's  corps  was  acting  in  our  immediate 
front:  next  day  it  was  ascertained  that  their  whole  army  was 
moving,  but  very  slowly. 

Although  opposed  by  powerful  artillery,  a  part  of  our  infan- 
try crossed  the  river  and  took  up  the  pursuit ;  Stuart's  cavalry 
and  flying  artillery,  as  usual,  being  the  first  to  exchange  shots 
with  Sigel's  rear -guard,  causing  it  much  damage.  From  the  eigh- 
teenth to  the  twentieth  heavy  firing  was  maintained  almost  with- 
out intermission.  Yet  so  well  did  Sigel  handle  his  men,  that 
they  were  able  to  cross  the  Rappahannock  on  the  twentieth, 
almost  without  loss.  Not  only  so,  but  they  defied  o.ur  attempts 
to  cross  in  pursuit;  indeed,  such  was  the  strength  of  their  artil- 
,  lery,  it  would  have  been  madness  to  hazard  such  an  undertaking. 


FLANK  MOVEMENT  OF  JACKSON.  435 

Demonstrations  were  made  at  various  fords,  but  as  the  river  was 
broad,  and  we  had  no  pontoons,  it  was  easy  for  Pope  to  hold  us 
in  check. 

Detachments  of  cavalry,  however,  passed  the  river  daily,  and 
made  spirited  dashes  among  the  enemy,  frequently  capturing 
both  prisoners  and  stores.  On  one  occasion  Stuart  personally 
led  a  few  squadrons,  and  making  a  sudden  rush  upon  Pope's 
head-quarters,  (situated  at  Catlett's  Railway  Station,)  nearly 
succeeded  in  capturing  that  pompous  commander,  who  was 
warned  of  his  danger  by  some  traitor,  and  barely  escaped  for 
the  second  time.  Four  companies  of  rifles  were  stationed  near 
the  house,  but  at  the  first  volley  from  our  men  they  ran  to  the 
woods,  leaving  the  house  and  all  its  treasures  an  easy  prey. 
The  cavalry  were  much  incensed  at  losing  Pope ;  and,  dividing 
into  small  parties,  galloped  down  every  road  with  the  hope  of 
overtaking  him,  while  others  remained  behind- to  secure  the 
spoil. 

Among  the  articles  found  by  our  troopers  were  Pope's  public 
and  private  papers,  including  plans,  maps,  estimates,  and  returns 
of  forces,  promises  of  reenforcements,  with  statements  of  their 
strength,  the  possible  time  and  place  of  junction,  and  the 
amount  of  stores  at  various  depots.  Much  clothing  was  found, 
including  new  full-dress  suits  for  General  Pope  and  his  staff, 
also  a  quantity  of  private  baggage,  wines,  and  liquors.  Doubt- 
less it  was  dangerous  work  for  those  gallant  troopers  to  pene- 
trate so  far  within  the  enemy's  lines,  yet  such  was  the  antipathy 
and  disgust  felt  by  all  for  the  vain-glorious  and  silly  man  com- 
manding the  enemy,  that  they  would  willingly  have  undertaken 
any  enterprise  which  promised  his  capture. 

While  General  Lee  was  making  the  demonstrations  to  which 
I  have  alluded  at  various  points  of  the  river,  Jackson's  forces, 
some  twenty-five  thousand  strong,  left  the  main  body  on  the 
twenty-fifth  and. proceeded  towards  the  head-waters  of  the  Rap- 
pahannock.  As  usual,  he  was  unencumbered  with  baggage  or 
other  impediments  to  a  rapid  march  through  the  mountains, 
save  a  sufficient  quantity  of  spare  ammunition  and  the  neces- 
sary guns.  Passing  through  the  delightful  region  of  Mount 
"Washington,  he  pushed  forward  rapidly  towards  Salem,  and 
turning  the  head  of  his  column,  proceeded  eastward  parallel 


436  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

with  the  Manassas  Gap  Kailroad,  until  he  reached  the  village 
of  Gainesville.  All  this  section  of  country  was  minutely 
known  to  every  soldier  in  his  command,  and  when  the  head 
of  the  column  was  filed  to  the  right  at  Salem,  no  one  doubted 
but  that  the  true  object  of  the  expedition  was  to  get  in  the 
rear  of  Pope's  army,  and  destroy  his  communications  and 
stores.  Yet  it  must  be  confessed  that  many  complained  of  the 
supposed  imprudence,  if  not  madness,  of  the  adventure.  "  Look 
facts  fully  in  the  face,"  said  one ;  "  here  we  are  marching  in  the 
rear  of  an  enemy  more  powerful  than  ourselves,  far  from  all 
supports,  liable  to  be  broken  up  by  superior  numbers  from 
Washington  on  the  one  hand,  or  to  be  literally  annihilated 
should  Pope  face  about  and  cooperate." 

"  "Tis  just  like  him,"  said  another ;  "  no  one  can  imagine 
what  he's  about ;  it  was  always  so  in  the  Valley  and  else- 
where— plenty  of  marching  and  fighting,  and  mighty  little  to 
eat,  except  what  we  chanced  to  capture." 

"As  to  rations,"  said  a  third,  "I  know  not  what  we  shall 
do ;  we  are  on  half  allowance  now,  and  to-morrow  we  shall 
have  to  fast  and  fight  as  usual.  I  heard  that  the  Commissary 
General  spoke  to  Jackson  upon  this  point,  but  he  simply  an- 
swered: 'Don't  trouble  yourself;  the  enemy  have  a  super- 
abundance— their  depots  are  not'  far  in  advance !' " 

That  this  was  possibly  true,  all  would  admit ;  yet  the  more 
prudent  looked  upon  the  expedition  as  "  rash,"  while  .they 
stoically  observed:  "If  Jackson  isn't  afraid  of  his  carcase 
surely  we  need  not  be  so  particular  I"  The  event  justified  their 
confidence,  for  upon  the  arrival  of  our  troopers  at  Bristow,  the 
first  railroad  station  connecting  with  Pope's  rear,  large  quanti- 
ties of  stores  were  discovered.%  The  guards  at  the  station  de- 
camped expeditiously  upon  the  first  appearance  of  our  ad- 
vance squadron,  and,  running  towards  Manassas,  spread  the 
alarm.  The  commandant  of  that  post  could  not  or  would  not 
believe  the  story ;  he  imagined  it  to  be  simply  a  small  maraud- 
ing party  approaching,  yet  telegraphed  the  rumor  to  Pope  and 
to  the  commandant  of  Alexandria. 

The  station-master  at  Manassas  was  very  much  mistaken,  for 
our  forces  suddenly  surrounding  the  Junction,  captured  every 
thing  without  a  blow.  -  A  brigade,  we  were  informed,  was  ap- 
proaching from  Alexandria,  but  it  was  surprised  by  an  ambush 


j       IMMENSE  BOOTY.  437 

and  dispersed,  the  commander  being  killed.  The  amount  of 
stores  that  here  fell  into  our  hands  was  Astonishing.  Among 
the  more  important  items  were  nine  cannons;  seven  trains 
heavily  laden  with  stores;  ten  first-class  locomotives;  fifty 
thousand  pounds  of  bacon ;  one  thousand  barrels  of  beef;  two 
thousand  barrels  of  pork ;  five  thousand  barrels  of  superfine 
flour;  vast  quantities  of  hay,  oats,  and  corn;  thirty  thousand 
ready-made  loaves;  and  an  immense  amount  of  hard  bread, 
ammunition,  etc.  The  telegraph-office  was  found  intact,  and 
the  advance  had  not  been  many  minutes  at  the  station  ere  the 
operator  was  compelled  to  transmit  a  message  to  Alexandria, 
calling  for  an  immediate  supply  of  artillery  and  wagon-harness 
.together  with  many  other  things  of  which  we  stood  greatly  in 
need.  Thanks  to  the  business-like  despatch  of  those  at  Alex- 
andria, a  train  soon  appeared  bringing  the  supplies ;  the  dis- 
tance was  not  great,  and  to  insure  its  safety,  no  sooner  had  it 
crossed  Bull  Bun  Bridge  than  the  rails  were  torn  up,  so  that  it 
was  impossible  to  return  again,  even  had  the  engineer  discov- 
ered the  trick.  Of  eatables  and  drinkables  there  was  no  end  ; 
clothes,  arms,  military  and  sutler's  stores,  powder,  shot,  shell, 
cartridges — every  thing,  in  fine,  was  found  here  which  a  needy, 
ragged,  hungry,  and  travel-stained  army  might  desire,  either 
as  necessities  or  superfluities.  In  truth,  our  hungry  troops  had 
a  perfect  feast,  and  what  could  not  be  of  use  was  immediately 
destroyed.  Many  hours  had  not  elapsed  since  our  arrival  ere  ' 
the  station,  locomotives,  out-houses,. store-houses,  and  superflu- 
ous stores  were  in  a  blaze,  sending  forth  vast  columns  of  smoke, 
which  must  have  been  discernible  over  an  area  of  many  miles. 

But  this  sort  of  thing  could  not  be  done  with  impunity. 
When  couriers,  hot  and  dusty,  galloped  up  to  head- quarters  at 
the  Junction,  and  reported  firing  in  the  direction  of  Bristow, 
it  was  evident  that  the  truth  had  now  become  fully  known  to 
Pope,  and  that,  having  hurriedly  broken  up  encampments 
around  Warrenton,  he  was  swooping  down  upon  us  with  his 
whole  force !  This  news  was  matter  for  serious  consideration ; 
and  many  said :  "  Suppose  they  drop  upon  us  on  the  other  side 
from  Alexandria  ?  if  so,  we  are  gone  chickens,  and  old  '  Stone- 
wall '  is  played  out !" 

Jackson,  however,  had  not  been  neglectful  of  chance  combi- 
nations when  revolving  his  plan,  and  knew  upon  what  amount 


438  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

of  cooperation  he  could  himself  rely.  Yet  upon  the  first  news 
of  Pope's  advance,  Iqp  drew  his  corps  together,  and  did  not 
seem  to  heed  the  heavy  skirmishing  and  occasional  cannon- 
ading going  on  with  his  rear-guard  and  the  enemy's-  advance. 
Although  fully  aware  of  the  immense  odds  approaching  against 
him,  he  seemed  determined  to  hold  them  in  check,  and  was 
bold  f nough  to  place  his  corps  in  a  naturally  strong  position 
which  was  parallel  with  the  enemy's  line 'of  retreat  along  the 
roads  to  Centreville,  his  right  being  stretched  in  the  direction 
of  Thoroughfare  Gap  to  keep  open  communication  with  the 
main  army,  which  we  surmised  was  not  more  than  two  marches 
behind. 

Meantime,  facts  became  known  which  made  those  in  the  secret 
look  gloomy  enough  on  the  evening  of  the  twenty -seventh.  An 
inevitable  fight  on  the  morrow  began  to  be  mysterious! jr  spoken 
of  around  the  camp-fires.  Th&  enemy  were  massing  in  our 
front.  "If  we  are  not  soundly  whipped,"  said  one,  "it  is  a 
mercy  of  Providence."  "True,"  said  another,  "we  are  over- 
matched, yet  our  position  is  a  strong  one,  and  if  there  was  any 
positive  prospect  of  being  thrashed,  Jackson  is  the  last  man  in 
the  world  to  be  caught  in  such  a  trap."  "  Yet  '  trap '  it  seems 
to  be,"  observed  one,  very  emphatically ;  "we  are  outnumbered 
three  to  one  in  front :  reports  have  come  in  of  troops  on  the 
move  from  Alexandria  and  Washington."  "Yes,  but  then  our 
army  is  advancing  from  Thoroughfare  Gap.".  " Are  they?  not 
at  all !  the  Federals  are  strongly  posted  there,  and  hold  it  with 
many  cannon!"  This  announcement  elicited  a  long  whistle 
from  many,  while  others  buried  their  chagrin  in  cups  of  coffee 
and  smoked  in  silence.  "Who  told  you?"  one  ventured  to 
ask.  "Wilkinson;  he  was  sent  off  with  orders,  and  could  not 
get  through — an  entire  division  holds  the  place !"  "  Well,  say 
no  more  about  it,"  said  a  fat  old  major  of  foot;  "any  thing  for 
a  change.  I'd  rather  fight  any  time  than  be  eternally  march- 
ing; I  suppose  Jackson  knows  more  about  these  things  than 
we  do — at  all  events,  he  puts  a  bold  face  upon  matters,  and 
instead  of  running  away  as  a  scarey  general  would,  he  plants 
himself  firmly  along  their  line  of  march  and  defies  them !  'Tis 
evidently  a  fight  or  a  foot-race  with  somebody,  so  throw  a  few 


JACKSON  EST  A   "TRAP."  439 

•  • 

sticks  on  the  fire,  Captain,  and  let's  take  a  nap — some  of  us  may 
be  hit  or  cut  before  to-morrow  evening!" 

Word  was  brought  during  the  night  that  the  enemy  were 
movmg  across  our  front,  but  massing  on  our  right;  so  that 
when  picket-firing  began  at  dawn  in  the  latter  direction,  the 
enemy's  plans  were  very  clearly  developed — they  desired  to  cut 
us  off  from  communication  with  troops  rumored  to  be  marching 
to  our  relief.  Ambrose  Hill,  however,  who  was  said  to  be  in 
command  of  our  right,  handled  his  men  with  more  than  usual 
ability,  anjl  prevented*  this  design  being  executed.  Prisoners 
captured  informed  us  of  the  commands  they  severally  belonged 
to;  from  whom  it  appeared  that  Heintzelman  was  moving 
against  our  left  under  Ewell  near  Centreville ;  Sigel  was  ope- 
rating ftgainst  the  centre  under  Jackson ;  and  Porter,  with  his 
regulars  and  powerful  artillery,  was  opposed  to  Hill,  McDowell 
being  in  reserve.  Banks  was  not  mentioned,  and  his  position 
was  unknown.  This  news  confirmed  our  former  suspicions 
that  McClellan  was  reenforcing  Pope  as  rapidly  as  possible,  his 
various  corps  being  despatched  from  Alexandria  as  speedily  as 
they  arrived  there ! 

Firing  now  became  regular  with  the  infantry,  and  booming 
of  cannon  resounded  among  the  hills  with  a  long  rolling  sound 
like  the  echo  of  thunder.  Light  lines  of  smoke  ascending  over 
the  landscape,  and  the  long  crackling  sound  of  rifles  as  regi- 
ments delivered  volleys,  made  the  whole  scene  exciting  and 
sublime.  Long  black  lines  of  men  advancing  in  columns,  or 
wheeling  when  deployed,  moving  in  all  directions  across  the 
light  green  landscape,  the  explosion  of  shell  among  them  caus- 
ing death  and  disorder ;  the  hurried  motion  of  field  officers, 
and  furious  galloping  of  orderlies  and  couriers;  the  meeting  of 
regiments,  their  mutual  volleys,  and  advance  or  retreat,  with 
active  batteries  rushing  here  and  there,  unlimbering  and  firing, 
or  limbering  and  hurriedly  retiring — these  were  the  constant 
sights  presented  by  the  enemy  and  4fcirselves  in  the  vain  en- 
deavors of  the  former  to  turn  our  flanks.  Loud  above  the 
general  din  was  heard  the  roar  of  the  regular  cannonade  main- 
tained by  both  sides,  as  shell  screamed  through  the  air  on  their 
mission  of  death,  and,  tearing  through  the  trees,  exploded  with 
an  awful  crash. 


440  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 


» 


Hour  after  hour  was  this  fearful  and  unequal  contest  con- 
tinued. Again  and  again  would  the  enemy  pause  and  re-form ; 
attack  succeeded  attack,  and  charge  followed  upon  charge. 
Each  time 'the  foe  seemed  to  throw  himself  upon  us  wifoh  re- 
doubled fury,  each  time  to  be  baffled,  dispirited,  and  broken^ 
until  it  seemed  impossible  that  even  Jackson  himself  could 
withstand  the  repeated  shocks.  The  greatest  -  efforts  of  the 
enemy  seemed  to  be  concentrated  against  our  right,  under  the 
immediate  command  of  Jackson,  as  if  it  were  the  desire  of 
Pope  to  crush  or  isolate  him  before  the  possible  arrival  -of 
Longstreet  and  Lee.  Whatever  the  object  in  view,  Pope  sig- 
nally failed  in  turning  the  right,  and  although  we  slowly  and 
cautiously  gave  ground,  and  punished  his  ill-timed  advances 
with  immense  slaughter,  night  was  gradually  approaching,  and 
couriers  from  Longstreet  brought  the  joyful  news  that  he  had 
successfully  beaten  the  enemy  at  Thoroughfare  Gap,*  and  would 
form  a  junction  with  us  in  a  few  hours. 

Although  still  hard  pressed  by  the  heavy  forces  of  the  enemy, 
and  obliged  to  give  ground  from  physical  weakness  alone,  this 
news  was  passed  from  brigade  to  brigade,  and  from  regiment 
to  regiment,  with  such  rapidity  that,  although  completely  ex- 
hausted, they  rent  the  air  with  such  an  outburst  of  enthusiasm 
as  to  drown,  almost  the  fearful  din  of  battle.  Until  night  did 
this  unequal  contest  last ;  but  although  we  were  forced  to  fall 
back  some  distance,  this  was  effected  with  so  much  order  and 
precision,  that  the  movement  appeared  like  a  grand  review. 
When  the  sun  sank  upon  the  scene,  all  was  over ;  the  enemy 
did  not  dare  to  pursue.  Longstreet's  approach  was  perhaps 
known  to  them,  and  they  were  unwilling  to  encounter  our  com- 
bined forces  without  receiving  reenforcements,  or  making  proper 
dispositions  for  that  eventuality. 

The  position  assumed  by  Jackson  at  sunset  was,  if  possiblCj 
stronger  than  that  previously  held.  Feeling  positive  that  no 
new  attack  was  contemplated,  and  that  Longstreet  had  formed 

*  This  was  subsequently  verified.  We  learned  from  some  of  General  Reno's 
forces,  after  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  that  they  were  the  troops  intrusted 
with  the  defence  of  Thoroughfare  Gap,  but  Being  hard  pushed  by  the  Confederates? 
had  retired  upon  General  Porter's  corps,  with  which  they  had  subsequently  acted' 
Hooker  was  also  with  Pope. 


THOROUGHFARE  GAP.  441 

on  our  right  wing,  our  men  stacked  arms,  pickets  were  thrown 
out  in  front,  some  few  fires  were  lit,  and  our  wearied  men  be- 
took themselves  to  sleep.  Having  several  friends  acting  under 
Lpngstreet,  I  rode  over  to  his  position,  and  after  much  annoy- 
ance at  the  challenges  of  numerous  sentinels,  posted  in  out-of- 
the-way  places,  and  many  mistakes  in  picking  my  way  in  the 
dark,  at  last  found  the  regiments  and  the  individuals  I  desired 
to  see. 

Chatting  round  the  camp-fire,  of  that  day's  events,  I  ascer- 
tained that  the  enemy  might  have  made  a  stout  resistance  at 
Thoroughfare  Gap,  but  fled  at  the  first  fire.  Longstreet's  forces 
had  travelled  rapidly  towards  us ;  for  the  firing  being  audible, 
they  were  naturally  impatient  to  rush  to  our  assistance.  On 
approaching  the  Gap  no  enemy  was  visible,  but  as  the  Seventh 
and  Eighth  Georgia  were  pushing  forward  in  advance,  the  ene- 
my suddenly  opened  several  field-pieces,  and  commenced  to 
sweep  the  road.  "Oh!  they  are  there,  are  they?"  said  Long- 
street,  laughing.  "Well,  we'll  soon  dislodge  them,  boys,"  and 
immediately  ordered  up  several  pieces  of  artillery,  which,  gal- 
loping forward,  opened  upon  the  enemy  so  furiously  and  with 
such  accuracy,  as  to  shelter  our  infantry  and  clear  the  summit 
of  the  road.  This  was  quickly  accomplished,  but  our  artillery 
were  not  content — they  rushed  up  the  rise  and  began  to  shell 
the  foe,  who  hastily  retreated  into  open  grounds  beyond.  Their 
infantry  then  finding  themselves  unsupported,  fell  back  in  dis- 
order. 

The  arrival  of  Longstreet  was  hailed  with  loud  applause,  not 
unmingled  with  regret  that  Lee  was  still  absent,  it  being  certain 
that  hostilities  would  recommence  on  the  morrow.  In  what 
direction  the  blow  might  fall  was  uncertain ;  but  the  best  die- 
position  was  made  to  meet  it  when  our  reenforcements  took  up 
a  position  which  threatened  the  enemy's  flank.  Signal-rockets 
were  continually  ascending  along  the  Federal  front,  and  from 
the  number  of  camp-fires,  and  the  amount  of  ndise  within  their 
lines,  it  was  shrewdly  conjectured  that  heavy  forces  were  arriv- 
ing and  taking  up  positions  during  the  night.  The  incessant 
passing  and  re-passing  of  pickets,  in  addition  to  other  noises, 
effectually  banished  sleep.  Exhausted,  sick,  hungry,  and  an- 
noyed, I  rolled  about,  until  a  sergeant  slapped  me  upon  the 


442  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

back,  when  I  jumped  to  my  feet,'  and  proceeding  to  a  cottage 
near  by,  found  several  secretaries  hard  at  work,  and  was  or- 
dered off  on  business  many  miles  to  the  rear. 

Shaking  myself  together,  so  to  speak,  I  rinsed  my  face  and 
hands,  watered  my  horse  in  a  brook,  and  quickly  saddled; 
strapped  on  a  small  bundle  of  fodder,  in  case  of  need,  buttoned 
my  old  overcoat  to  the  throat,  lit  my  pipe,  and  slowly  picked 
my  way  through  long  lines  of  recumbent  troops,  until  I  was 
far  to  the  rear,  journeying  alone  over  a  deserted  country,  with- 
out guide  or  compass,  save  the  dark  and  rugged  outline  of  dis- 
tant mountains,  or  the  bright  constellations  studding  •  a  light 
blue  sky. 

As  I  slowly  trotted  forward  along  the  well;beaten  road,  I 
occasionally  came  upon  some  small  party  of  fatigued  and  ex- 
hausteds  tragglers,  who,  to  the  number  of  four  or  half-a-dozen, 
had  lit  fires,  and  were  for  the  most  part  asleep;  yet,  as  soon  as 
my  horse's  hoofs  were  heard  approaching,  some  one  of  the 
group  would  jump  to  his  feet  and  "  halt"  me.  I  did  not  won- 
der at  the  stragglers  I  thus  met,  for  their  marches  had  been 
long  and  rapid,  and  were  their  numbers  greater  I  could  have 
excused  it,  for  ill-fed,  wretchedly  clothed  and  shod  as  they 
generally  were,  they  must  have  been  made  of  steel  to  with- 
stand the  hardships  and  privations  of  the  past  few  days.  Even 
I,  who  was  in  the  saddle  on  a  march,  was  perfectly  exhausted, 
and  for  humanity's  sake  would  not  force  my  poor  horse  to 
more  than  a  trot,  except  necessity  compelled  it.  Yet  such 
was  the  pride  of  these  poor  weary  fellows,  that  to  my  cheer- 
ful remarks  they  would  always  answer :  "  We  didn't  fall  out 
o'  ranks  scared  of  the  Yanks,  lieutenant,  but  our  feet  are  all 
in  blisters  and  cut  with  hard  marching — we'll  soon  catch,  up 
with  the  boys  to-morrow !" 

As  I  progressed  still  farther  on  my  journey,  the  large  num- 
ber of  smouldering  camp-fires  dotted  right  and  left  of  the  main 
road,  told  me  I  had  fallen  in  with  whole  brigades  marching  to 
the  front;  and  the  number  of  "halts"  to  which  I  was  sub- 
jected by  the  guards,  and  the  numerous  questions  put  to  me 
by  half-sleepy  and  yawning  "  officers  of  the  guard,"  were,  to 
one  in  my  position,  vexatious  in  the  extreme.  Sometimes  the 
cracking  of  whips  and  loud  oaths  of  teamsters  told  me  of 


,  WEARINESS  OF  THE  TROOPS.  443 

wagon-trains  fast  in  the  ruts  or  mire ;  occasionally  I  passed  a 
battery  unable  to  move  farther  from  the  exhaustion  of  the  ani- 
mals, while  artillerymen  at  the  heads  of  sweating,  snorting, 
and  foaming  horses,  or  at  the  wheels,  greasing  the  axles,  or 
pulling  with  ropes,  evinced  the  anxiety  which  possessed  all 
to  be  pushing  to  the  front.  Here  and  there  camp  utensils, 
blankets,  and  knapsacks,  had  been  thrown  upon  the  road  side 
to  lighten  the  wagons,  more  than  one  of  which  vehicles  was 
upset  by  the  road-side,  and  the  horses,  tethered  or  hobbled, 
were  enjoying  themselves  in  the  high  grass.  Quartermasters, 
commissaries,  and  wagon-masters  would  occasionally  pass  at  a 
swinging  gallop,  searching  for  stray  teams  or  superintending 
occasional  mishaps,  fretting  and  swearing  as  those  important 
officials  are  often  wont  to  do.  All  the  roads  were  well  watched, 
however,  and  occasional  bonfires  on  the  hills  told  me  that  the 
signal-corps  was  wide  awake,  for  occasionally  their  burning 
brands  were  rapidly  at  work,  repeating  or  transmitting  tele- 
grams from  point  to  point. 

A  few  hours'  ride  brought  me  to  my  destination  soon  after 
sunrise,  and  having  despatched  my  business,  all  I  could  do  was 
to  wait  for  further  orders.  My  horse  having  been  first  cared 
for,  I  hung  my  saddle  in  a  tree,  near  the  door  of  a  small  cot- 
tage to  which  I  had  been  directed,  threw  myself  full  length 
upon  a  bench,  and  was  soon  fast  asleep. 

I  know  not  how  long  I  had  slept,  but  was  awakened  by 
voices  at  the  door :  "  Lord  a  mercy,  what  a  noise  them  cannons 
do  make  to  be  sure — they're  fightin'  agin  at  Manassas,  /  know. 
Just  listen !"  said  an  old  housewife.  I  started  up  and  stepped 
to  the  door ;  the  loud  and  regular  discharge  of  ordnance  fully 
told  me  that  some  part  of  our  lines  was  being  furiously  at- 
tacked. The  heavy  "thuds"  which  occasionally  caught  the 
ear  were  undoubtedly  from  howitzers,  While  the  sharp,  ringing 
sounds  which  could  be  occasionally  heard,  indicated  rifled  ord- 
nance. An  action  of  some  sort  was  certainly  going  on,  and 
I  felt  uneasy  at  my  own  inactivity.  "  Don't  be  impatient,  my 
boy,"  said  an  old  officer;  "you  are  as  much  on  duty  here  as 
elsewhere — besides,  I  don't  think  it  is  a  general  action,  for  I 
understand  Lee  has  not  passed  here  many  hours,  and  he  would 
surely  be  on  hand  if  aught  of  that  kind  was  anticipated.  They 


444  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

are  making  a  devil  of  a  smoke,  though,"  continued  the  Major 
as  he  mounted  a  hill  close  by  to  observe.  "  Here,  take  the 
glass  and  look  for-yourself — it  doesn't  seem  to  be  much  more 
than  ten  miles  in  a  direct  line." 

I  took  the  glass  and  distinctly  observed  light  clouds  of  white 
smoke  wafting  over  trees  in  the  eastern  landscape,  but  at  that 
distance  nothing  definite  could  be  made  out.  "  Oh !  don't 
trouble  yourself,"  said  the  major ;  "  I'm  sure  you're  no  field- 
marshal —  Lee,  Longstreet,  and  Jackson  can  get  .along  pretty 
well  without  you  for  a  few  hours.  As  to  the  boys,  they  can 
take  care  of  themselves  at  any  time — so  let  your  horse  alone? 
and  sit  down ;  I  think  I've  got  a  few  cigars  and  a  drop  of  good 
Bourbon  somewhere — there,  drink  away,  and  smoke  till  you're 
tired — they  cost  me  nothing,  I  got  them  from  Dan  Sickles's 
stores,  which  our  boys  captured  at  Savage  Station."  I  tried 
the  articles  and  found  them  to  be  good. 

"  Dan  seems  to  be  no  bad  judge  of  whiskey  and  cigars,  does 
he  ?  but,  Lord !  how  mad  he  must  have  been  to  lose  all  his 
plate,  private  papers,  and  fine  clothes,  at  Savage's,  eh  ?"  and  as 
the  Major's  nose  became  redder  at  every  additional  glass,  he 
took  an  extra  bumper  to  raise  steam,  threw  his  heels  upon  the 
writing-table,  and  launched  forth  into  a  very  long-winded  story 
of-  his  personal  prowess,  until  I  began  mentally  to  inquire 
"  where  he  generally  buried  his  dead." 

Although  in  appearance  very  friendly  to  the  Major,  I  could 
not  but  loathe  him  in  my  very  heart,  for  he  was  one  of  a  class 
of  brigade  and  divisional  quartermasters  who  were  the  greatest 
hypocrites  and  rogues  left  unhung.  He  seemed  to  be  totally 
absorbed  in  self;  his  personal  baggage  was  large  and  mis- 
cellaneous; beds,  bedsteads,  chairs,  tables,  a  full  and  large 
equipment  of  mess  furniture,  washing  apparatus,  and  I  know 
not  what  besides ;  the  traps  of  his  clerks  and  assistants  demand- 
ed far  more  transportation  than  was  allowed  even  to  two  full 
companies  of  foot ;  upon  a  march  it  is  pretty  certain  the  poor 
privates  could  not  find  room  for  the  stowage  of  a  coffee-pot  or 
frying-pan,  while  his  own  wagons  had  the  finest  horses,  and 
were  always  in  front.  If  any  of  the  wagons  required  an  ad- 
ditional horse  or  two  to  pull  up  a  hill,  he  would  always  order 
them  to  be  "lightened,"  so  that  many  a  poor  lad's  extra  wear- 


BATTLE  AT    MANASSAS.  445 

ing  apparel  was  thrown  upon  the  roadside,  together  with  pots 
and  pans  without  number,  and  to  all  remonstrances  he  would 
gruffly  answer,  "  Wagon  -master,  push  ahead,"  not  caring  a  jot 
if  the  whole  regiment  or  brigade  had  not  a  single  pot  in  which 
to  cook  their  rations. 

Like  others  of  his  stamp,  the  Major  found  time  to  specu- 
late in  horses  or  mules,  and  as  such  things  could  not  be 
done  without  "  go-betweens,"  there  were  understrappers  in  his 
department,  who  realized  hundreds  of  dollars  per  month 
through  such  purchases.  He  would  keep  in  hand  for  months 
at  a  time,  thousands,  I  might  say  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
dollars,  which  should  have  been  paid  away  to  the  troops,  and 
if  spoken  to  he  would  answer :  "  Pay  ?  oh  !  certainly,  I'd  have 
paid  the  men  long  ago,  but  the  pay-rolls  were  incorrect,  and  I 
had  to  return  them  to  be  re-written."  Many  of  our  brigade 
quartermasters,  particularly  if  on  detached  service,  were  of  this 
worthless  character — in  truth  many  were  an  encumbrance  to 
the  army ;  and  had  fiery  Longstreet  or  Jackson  hung  a  few 
of  them  as  Napoleon  is  said  to  have  done  on  more  than  one 
occasion,  the  whole  army  would  have  been  the  better  for  it. 

The  firing  towards  Manassas  continued  throughout  the  day, 
but  it  was  not  till  sunset  that  I  received  orders  to  return  to  the 
army.  Glad  enough  I  had  mounted  and  faced  "  homewards  " 
again ;  I  started  towards  Manassas  at  a  rattling  pace,  feeling 
certain  if  Lee  arrived  there  would  be  "  lively  times  "  in  the 
morning.  I  had  not  proceeded  many  miles  along  my  circuit- 
ous route,  ere  I  fell  in  with  cavalry  patrols  and  pickets,  who 
were  extremely  vigilant ;  and  although  custom  has  made  me 
sharp-sighted  at  night,  I  confess  they  frequently  halted  me  ere 
I  had  the  slightest  notion  of  being  within  many  miles  of  their 
vicinity.  To  add  to  my  misery  and  delay,  I  had  not  the 
"  countersign,"  and  was  marched  off  to  the  nearest  guard-post 
to  account  for  myself. 

"  Can't  help  it,  comrade,"  said  the  cavalry-man:  "I  believe 
your  words,  and  think  I  have  frequently  seen  you  before ;  but 
orders  are  orders,  you  know,  and  we  must  obey."  I  was  hand- 
ed over  to  the  next  picket,  and  so  on,  until  I  reached  the  cen- 
tral picket  station,  where  the  captain  commanding  examined 
me  rigorously,  and  upon  presenting  papers  of  identity,  he  po- 


446  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

litely  gave  me  the  countersign,  saying :  "  It  was  well,  perhaps, 
you  fell  in  with  our  men,  for  the  road  you  were  taking  must 
have  led  you  nearer  the  present  lines  of  the  enemy  than  you 
care  about  finding  yourself,  I  know :  the  countersign  I  have 
given  you  is  good  among  the  outer  pickets ;  when  you  reach 
the  infantry,  be  careful  how  you  act,  for  they  have  another  one, 
and  are  particularly  wakeful  to-night,  and  thick  as  flies  !" 

Acting  upon  this  advice,  I  plunged  forward  boldly,  and  was 
in  high  spirits,  singing  right  heartily,  for  our  numerous  en- 
campments were  visible  for  many  miles  around.  "Halt!  halt!'' 
was  the  challenge  suddenly  given  by  half-a-dozen ;  and  from 
their  guns  levelled  at  me,  I  saw  there  was  no  fun  about  them. 
"  Who  goes  there  ?"  "  Officer  without  the  countersign !"  "  Ad- 
vance, officer !"  and  I  did  so  very  meekly,  for  could  they  have  seen 
me  even  wink  improperly,  I  should  have  been  instantly  riddled 
with  half-a-dozen  shots.  I  here  went  through  the  operation  of 
being  handed  over  from  one  to  another,  until  fairly  out  of 
patience.  The  corporal  of  the  guard  would  do  no  more  than 
hand  me  to  the  sergeant,  the  latter* to  the  lieutenant  of  the 
guard ;  the  last  to  the  officer  of  the  night,  and  he  to  the  officer 
of  the  day  ;  so  that,  from  being  handed  from  one  to  another,  it 
got  rumored  abroad  among  some  idle  soldiers  that  I  was  a 
"  spy,"  and  soon  there  was  a  large  crowd  at  my  heels,  bestow- 
ing upon  me  all  manner  of  uncomplimentary  epithets.  The 
rumor  spread  among  the  regiments  through  which  I  was  then 
passing ;  and  while  in  the  tent  of  the  officer  of  the  day  making 
explanations,  I  heard  one  loquacious  gentleman,  who  was  peep- 
ing through  a  rent  in  the  tent,  exclaim:  "The  captain's  got 
him — he's  a  spy,  and  they've  got  the  papers  on  him  !  I  hope 
they'll  detail  me  as  one  of  the  firing  party ;  won't  I  let  him 
have  it  good !"  '  » 

After  a  few  moments  of  explanation,  I  remounted  again ;  and 
my  sudden  transformation  into  a  good  and  true  Southerner 
seemed  to  have  caused  infinite  disgust  to  many,  but  particularly 
to  the  ragged  gentleman  who  was  so  anxious  to  make  one  of 
the  "  firing  party."  * 

*  The  feverishness  of  our  men  regarding  "  spies  "  during  these  eventful  days,  was 
highly  excited  by  the  following  incident :  While  Longstreet's  corps  was  hurrying 
forward  to  Jackson's  relief  on  the  twenty-eighth,  several  brigades  in  advance  on  dif- 


LONGSTREET'S  WING.  447 

I  had  yet  a  long  and  weary  journey  before  me,  through  miles 
of  camps;  and  as  I  picked  my  way  through  long  lines  of  stack- 
ed arms,  glistening  in  the  fire-light,  I  could  not  but  smile  at  the 
stoical  indifference  evinced  by  nine  tenths  of  the  men  for  the 
dreadful  work  in  store  for  them  on  the  morrow.  Some  were 
oiling  the  locks  of  their  guns ;  others,  in  shirt-sleeves,  were 
ramming  with  wipers  to  cleanse  the  barrels  of  their  pieces. 
Hats,  caps,  coats,  stockings,  accoutrements,  and  the  like,  were 
suspended  from  branches  overhead,  while  orderly  sergeants 
were  busy  with  ammunition-boxes,  issuing  extra  rounds.  Some 
were  asleep  near  the  fire,  others  frying  bacon  or  making  coffee ; 
while  round  such  a  fortunate  youth  were  sure  to  be  some  half- 
dozen  epicures  shouting  out,  "  I'll  take  the  grounds  after  you  1" 
"  After  }rou,"  said  one.  "Next  after  you,"  shouted  another; 
so  that  it  seemed  the  coffee-grounds  had  to  do  service  half-a- 
dozen  times  round.  I  passed  through  several  artillery  camps — 
the  ringing  or  clanking  of  chains,  and  the  disposition  of  harness 
for  instant  use,  proved  the  instinct  which  all  felt  regarding  the 
event  of  the  next  day. 

All  this  I  observed  on  the  extreme  wing  of  our  army ;  but 
when  I  proceeded  farther,  I  saw  long  lines  of  wounded  being 
conveyed  away,  and  afterwards  counted  hundreds  of  dead. 
There  had  been  a  desperate  fight,  I  was  told,  principally  in 
Longstreet's  wing,  and  rumor  said  he  had  been  obliged  to  give 
ground.  I  could  learn  nothing  definite  regarding  the  engage- 
ment ;  but  the  cavalry  captain's  remark  to  me,  that  "  I  was  on 

ferent  roads  were  observed  to  halt,  thereby  stopping  all  further  progresa  of  the 
corps.  Very  angry  at  this,  Longstreet  trotted  to  the  front,  and  was  informed  that 
a  courier  had  brought  orders  from  General  Lee  to  that  effect !  "From  General 
Lee?"  said  he,  his  eyes  glowing  with  rage.  "Where  t*  that  courier?"  he  asked. 
"  There  he  goes  now,  General,  galloping  down  the  road."  "  Keep  your  eyes  on 
him,  overtake  him,  and  bring  himliere."  This  was  soon  accomplished.  "By  whose 
orders  did  you  halt  my  brigade  ?"  asked  a  brigadier.  "  As  I  have  already  told  you — 
by  General  Lee's !  I  have  orders  for  Longstreet,  and  must  be  off  to  the  rear !" 
"  Here  is  Longstreet,"  said  that  General,  moving  forward.  "  Where  are  your  or- 
ders !"  The  spy  was  caught !  He  turned  red  and  pale,  bis  lip  quivered — he  was 
self-condemned.  "Give  this  man  ten  minutes,  and  hang  him!  Let  the  columns 
push  forward  immediately."  In  fifteen  minutes  the  spy  was  lifeless,  hanging  from 
a  tree  by  the  roadside ;  but  before  death,  confessed  that  although  a  Virginian  and 
a  Confederate  soldier,  he  had  been  in  communication  with  the  enemy  over  ten 
months,  and  was  then  acting  for  General  Pope. 


448  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

the  road  to  the  enemy's  lines,"  seemed  to  indicate  that  Long- 
street  had  been  obliged  to  fall  back  some  distance.  The  fight- 
ing was  represented  to  me  as  having  been  awful :  the  enemy 
had  begn  reenforced  by  nearly  all  of  McClellan's  Peninsula 
force,  and  suddenly  hurled  against  our  right.  No.loss,  in  can- 
non or  general  officers,  was  reported;  but  it  was  said  that,  act- 
ing strictly  on  the  defensive,  we  had  inflicted  terrible  punish- 
ment upon  them  with  our  artillery  as  they  advanced  in  masses 
against  us.  The  position  occupied  by  both  was  almost  identical 
with  the  ground  in  the  first  Battle  of  Manassas,  except  that  we 
were  on  the  north  and  they  on  the  south  side  of  the  Eun. 

Very  little  notice  seems  to  have  been  taken  of  this  engage- 
ment in  official  circles.  I  learned,  however,  that  the  true  ob- 
ject of  the  Federal  attack  was  to  extricate  their  left  somewhat, 
jand  to  push  their  right  into  Centreville,  so  as  to  keep  open  com- 
munication with  Washington  and  Alexandria  for  the  receipt  of 
reenforcements  and  supplies ;  of  which  they  stood  greatly  in 
need,  since  Jackson's  visit  to  the  Junction  on  the  twenty-sev- 
enth. Eeconnoitring  parties  were  sent  out  during  the  night, 
who  reported  that  the  enemy  had  drawn  in  their  left  wing  con- 
siderably, thus  shortening,  but  perhaps  strengthening,  their  line. 
Be  that  as  it  may,  preparations  were  busily  going  on  among  us 
to  open  the  battle  on  the  morrow ;  and  the  determination  of  all 
seemed  to  be  to  push  Pope  harder  on  this  occasion  than  ever 
before,  and  to  give  him  a  clear,  unclouded  view  of  men  whose 
faces  he  pretended  never  to  have  seen. 

Couriers,  orderlies,  and  colonels  were  moving  about  all  night ; 
and  although  the  army  seemed  to  rest  in  peace,  one  half  the 
men  were  wide  awake,  revolving  the  chances  of  the  morrow 
and  wishing  the  affair  were  over.  Part  of  Longstreet's  corps 
was  on  the  move  early  in  the  morning,  and  seemed  to  be  cau- 
tiously taking  up  positions  nearer  the  enemy's  left.  As  this 
movement  was  continued,  sharp  skirmishing  occurred  in  his 
immediate  front,  and  soon  after  extended  rapidly  along  the 
whole  line.  Nothing  of  moment  occurred,  however,  between 
the  two  armies  for  many  hours  in  the  morning ;  indeed,  it  was 
past  noon  when  the  action  really  commenced. 

The  advance  of  our  right  seemed  greatly  to  annoy  the  en- 
emy's left,  which  it  evidently  outflanked,  and  they  determined 


MoDOWELL  AND  SIGETyS  ATTACK.  449 

to  open  upon  us  suddenly,  and  with  great  fury,  hoping  to  anni- 
hilate it  before  the  arrival  of  reenforcemente.  Contrary  to  cus- 
tom, therefore,  the  enemy  did  not  cover  their  advance  with 
skirmishers,  but  came  forward  in  regular  battle  line,  and  would 
have  taken  our  sharpshooters  by  surprise ;  but  the  latter  had 
been  in  service  too  long  to  be  imposed  upon  by  any  such  Yan- 
kee notion,  and,  instantly  retreating,  gave  the  alarm  that  the 
enemy  were  approaching  in  serried  lines,  one  being  within  easy 
supporting  distance  behind  the  other.  "  So  they  are  the  attack- 
ing party,  are  they  ?"  said  an  old  brigadier  as  he  sat  upon  his 
horse  smoking  a  cigar.  "  Forward,  boys !  we  also  are  advanc- 
ing, so  there  must  be  music  of  some  sort  shortly." 

He  had  proceeded  but  a  few  hundred  yards  through  the 
fields  and  woods,  when  the  enemy's  approaching  line  was  re- 
vealed by  the  glitter  of  their  bayonets.  A  volley  was  fired  and 
returned ;  then  our  men  moved  forward  again,  and  continued 
this  mode  of  proceeding  throughout  the  engagement :  but  every 
time  the  enemy  gave  ground,  our  active  batteries  would  gallop 
to  the  front  and  give  them  such  a  vigorous  shelling,  as  com- 
pletely broke  the  order  of  their  retrograde  movement.  From 
such  information  as  I  could  glean,  while  passing  from  point  to 
point,  it  appeared  that  our  advance  was  almost  in  the  form  of 
two  sides  of  a  square,  the  enemy's  left  being  the  particular  ob- 
ject of  our  main  attack. 

The  general  advance  was  a  beautiful  sight.  As  far  as  the. 
eye  could  range,  two  parallel  lines  of  glittering  bayonets  were 
flashing  in  the  sun ;  now  the  Federal  lines  halted  suddenly,  a 
gleam  of  sunlight  told  that  their  rifles  had  been  brought  to  the 
"  ready,"  and  a  moment  had  not  elapsed  ere  a  long  flash  was 
seen,  light  curls  of  smoke  arose,  and  the  rattling  echo  of  their 
volleys  was  carried  on  the  wind.  A  yell  arose,  and  was  borne 
from  wing  to  wing  with  the  quickness  of  light,  when  quickly  a 
rapid  irregular  fire  was  returned,  and  the  clatter  continued  as 
fast  as  our  men  could  load.  Onward  they  went — now  the  long 
line  could  be  observed  passing  through  open  fields,  skirmishers 
in  front  popping  away  at  the  retiring  foe.  The  line  again 
would  disappear  in  the  woods.  A  brief  pause  would  ensue, 
followed  by  the  clatter  of  our  artillery  riding  to  the  front,  and 
29 


450  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

the  awful  roar  of  the  guns.     Then,  again,  a  shout,  telling  that 
our  men  had  resumed  the  advance. 

Cannonading  was  terrific  along  our  whole  front,  but  on  the 
right  Fitz-John  Porter's  and  Longstreet's  artillery  literally  shook 
the  earth.  Their  left  giving  way,  a  sudden  attack  was  made  on 
their  centre,  commanded  by  McDowell  and  Sigel.  The  assault 
was  neither  long  nor  doubtful,  for  the  enemy  retired  at  the  first 
volley,  and  such  was  their  evident  confusion,  that  it  at  one 
time  seemed  as  if  their  whole  army  was  giving  way  to  panic ; 
yet,  through  the  exertions  of  Sigel,  the  gap  in  their  centre  was 
quickly  filled  up,  and  the  fight  maintained  there  with  obstinacy 
and  generalship.  An  attempt  made  to  turn  our  left  signally 
failed.  The  flanking  force  was  soon  discovered  approaching, 
and  allowed  to  come  within  a  reasonable  distance,  when  a  pow- 
erful artillery  force  opened  at  the  head  of  the  column,  and  lite- 
rally smashed  it.  Thus,  on  the  right  and  centre,  our  forces 
were  rapidly  dispossessing  the  enemy  of  his  position,  and  no 
one  doubted  the  issue  of  the  conflict.  Along  the  whole  line, 
clouds  of  dust  and  smoke,  the  booming  of  artillery  and  rattle 
of  small  arms,  told  of  the  unflinching  courage  and  pertinacity 
of  our  men;  while  long  lines  of  ambulances  and  stretchers, 
proceeding  to  the  rear,  fully  proved  that  although  victory  was 
evidently  ours,  we  had  dearly  paid  for  it.  Fiery  Longstreet, 
with  his  impatient  and  gallant  corps,  was  rapidly  pushing  our 
right,  while  shot  and  shell  ploughed  the  ground  in  all  direc- 
tions around  him.  Lee  in  the  centre,  calm  and  collected,  moved 
from  point  to  point  among  his  troops,  smiling  good-humoredly 
with  the  consciousness  that  he  was  gradually  pressing  hard  on 
the  masses  of  the  foe;  while  old  "  Stonewall,"  as  usual,  was  in 
a  very  tempest  of  shot  and  shell,  and  smoke  and  dust,  holding 
on  like  grim  death  to  his  position  on  our  left,  and  punishing  the 
enemy  frightfully  with  his  well-disposed  artillery.  Thus,  in 
truth,  all  our  generals  were  hotly  engaged  at  different  points 
of  the  line.  The  impetuous  Ambrose  Hill  was  with  Ewell  and 
others  under  Jackson,  and  had  enough  to  do  to  keep  time  with 
the  rapid  movements  of  their  chief.  The  satirical,  stoical  D.  H. 
Hill  was  there,  cold  as  ice,  and  firm  as  a  rock.  Evans,  Stuart, 
McLaws,  Maxey  Gregg,  Jenkins,  Barksdale,  Whiting,  Archer, 
Pickett,  Field,  Walton,  Pendleton,  and  a  host  of  other  his- 


ESCAPE  OF  POPE.  451 

torical  heroes,  were  in  command  to-day,  and  each  seemed  to 
rival  the  other  in  prudence  and  valor;  while  Hood  and  his 
Texans  far  outshone  all  their  previous  deeds  by  their  present 
acts  of  daring. 

Over  all  the  field  the  battle  was  going  favorably  for  us,  and 
no  complaint  was  uttered  on  any  hand — all  seemed  to  desire  to 
get  as  close  to  Pope  as  possible,  and  to  show  their  powder- 
blackened  faces  to  him.     I  believe  there  was  not  a  single  man- 
in  the  whole  army  but  would  have  swam,  through  rivers  of 
blood  to  have  caught  that  mendacious  tero  alive ;  not  all  the 
wealth  of  Peru  would  have  been  half  so  acceptable  to  our  en- 
raged men  as  the  capture  of  that  vain  and  pompous  leader, 
whose  rule  in  Virginia  had  been  marked  with  such  wanton 
waste  of  property,  such  tyranny  over  the  inhabitants,  and  so 
many  instances  of  petty  revenge.     Such  a  fortune,  however, 
did  not  fall  to  our  lot,  for  John  Pope,  the  self-created  hero,  took 
great  pains  to  keep  from  the  front,  and  never  allowed  himself 
to  ride  within  two  miles  of  the  actual  battle.     Several  of  the 
Federal  generals,  however,   chiefly  brigadiers,  boldly  rode  to 
the  front,  and  cheered  on  their  men.      Sickles  and  Meagher 
were  singled  out  and  disabled.*    Wherever  I  rode  along  our 
extended  and  ever-changing  frout,  prisoners  of  all  grades,  can- 
non, flags,  and  other  trophies  were  passing  to  the  rear;  while 
every  patch  of  timber  was  converted  into  a  temporary  hospital, 
where  surgeons  in  blood-stained  garments  were  busily  plying 
the  knife.     Moans,  groans,  and  death-cries  arose  on  every  hand, 
mingling  with  the  distant  roar  and  rush  of  battle;  while  the 
wounded,  both  friend  and  foe,  forgetful  of  all  enmity,  dragged 
themselves  to  the  same  spring  to  quench  their  thirst.     Headless 
or  limbless  bodies  were  seen  at  every  turn;  stray  shot  and 
shell-  from  the  enemy  ploughed  up  the  ground,  or  exploded 
among  the  wounded;  while  riderless  horses,  foaming  and  fright- 
ened, rushed  to  and  fro,  in  all  directions,  or  limped  and  tottered 
till  they  fell.     Still  "Onward!"  was  the  word  from  all.     Am- 
munition wagons  slowly  followed  the  line  of  battle,  while  in 
wood  and  field,  across  creeks  and  brooks,  the  roar  of  battle 

•Among  hundreds  of  line  officers  who  fell  was  Colonel  Fletcher  Webster,  Twelfth 
Massachusetts  Volunteers,  eldest  and  sole  surviving  con  of  the  great  American  ora- 
tor and  statesman,  Hon.  Daniel  Webster,  of  Massachusetts. 


452  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

continued,  and  long  lines  of  smoke  curling  over  tree-tops  were 
wafted  away  westward  by  the  rising  breeze  of  evening. 

This  was  a  terrible '  battle,  truly  —  prisoners  confessed  that 
our  artillery  fire  on  their  left  and  right  had  been  truly  appall- 
ing. From  a  comparison  of  names  and  positions  we  learned 
that,  independent  of  Pope's  own  force,  all,  or  nearly  all,  of  MG- 
Clellan's  army  had  arrived  in  time  to  participate  in  the  engage- 
ment, and  that  the  severest  fighting  had  been  done  by  them. 
They  had  been  force-marched,  they  said,  to  get  up  in  time,  and 
though  exhausted,  were  thrust  into  the  most  dangerous  posi- 
tions, and  oftentimes  left  without  supports.  The  loss  among 
their  field  officers  had  been  great,  and  whole  brigades  were  so 
loth  to  engage,  that  they  broke  up  on  the  instant  of  confront- 
ing us.  ^McClellan's  men,  we  were  told,  were  heartily  sick  of 
the  war  —  all  their  hopes  and  ambition  had  been  completely 
broken  in  the  campaign  before  Eichmond,  and  they  possessed 
little  heart  to  engage  us  again  so  soon,  particularly  under  the 
leadership  of  such  a  "granny  "as  Pope.  "In  fact,"  said  an 
officer  to  me,  "  this  Manassas  No.  2  bids  fair  to  rival  No.  1 — the 
ground  seems  fatal  to  us — we  have  been  led  out  by  John  Pope 
to-day  for  wholesale  slaughter ;  unless  McClellan  comes  to  its 
instant  relief  with  some  additional  corps,  you  may  rely  upon  it, 
our  retreat  will  turn  into  .a  perfect  rout." 

Having  orders  to  proceed  from  the  centre  to  our  right,  I  had 
to  cross  the  Bull  Eun,  and  such  a  sight  I  never  wish  to  wit- 
ness again.  The  wounded  and  dying  of  both  armies  lined  the 
banks  in  all  manner  of  attitudes.  Some,  in  the  endeavor  to 
drink,  had  tumbled  in,  and  from  weakness  unable  to  extricate 
themselves,  had  been  drowned ;  others  in  the  water,  clung  to 
branches,  and  thus  sustained  themselves,  but  often  let  go  their 
hold  and  disappeared.  All  the  meadows  were  trodden  down, 
and  were  brown,  wet,  and  bloody,  hundreds  of  bodies  had  been 
ridden  over  and  crushed  by  artillery  or  cavalry,  so  that  the  re- 
mains of  poor  humanity  were  scattered  and  crushed  in  the  most 
revolting  manner.  This  was  no  time  to  philosophize,  however ; 
the  battle  still  went  on,  and  as  I  followed  the  line  pursued  by 
Longstreet,  carriage  and  sickening  sights  met  me  at  every  turn. 
Now  I  came  upon  a  spot  where  artillery  had  been  hotly  con- 
tending—  the  trees  around  were  broken,  riddled,  or  blown 


JACKSON'S  COMMISSARIAT.  453 

down,  caissons  were  upset,  dead  horses  in  scores  lay  scattered 
about,  while  the  grass  and  sand  were  purpled  with  blood. 
Fences  were  gone,  houses  knocked  into  splinters  or  undis- 
tinguishable  heaps  of  brick — small  arms,  cannon,  and  long 
lines  of  dead  were  on  every  hand,  and  yet  the  fight  continued 
in  the  direction  of  Centre ville  very  warmly.  The  enemy  were 
simply  fighting  to  secure  their  retreat,  so  that  at  evening  when 
the  .firing  slackened,  and  we  had  driven  them  a  great  distance, 
I  was  glad  to  think  the  battle  was  drawing  to  a  close  for  that 
day.  It  seemed  to  me,  however,  that  the  enemy's  new  position 
on  Centreville  Heights  was  a  formidable  one,  and  I  was  not  at 
all  pleased  to  see  indications  of  their  camping  or  staying  there. 

Except  a  few  occasional  shot  and  shell,  the  battle  was  over — 
the  enemy  were  driven  from  all  their  positions,  and  our  whole 
army  was  completely  exhausted  with  their  labors  of  the  past  few 
days.  Of  the  numbers  lost  by  us  I  could  not  form  an  estimate ; 
we  had  suffered  severely,  it  is  true,  but  the  punishment  inflicted 
on  the  enemy  was  really  awful.  Our  captures  in  prisoners  had 
been  very  considerable,  and  great  numbers  were  paroled  and 
sent  forward  to  the  enemy's  lines  in  the  Valley  or  to  Harper's 
Ferry.  Pope  had  been  unmercifully  thrashed  by  Lee  in .  this 
memorable  battle,  and  every  Southerner  rejoiced,  but  was 
heartily  amazed  that  the  immortal  John  had  not  shown  his 
face  during  the  day,  where  thousands  were  on  the  lookout  for 
him. 

Much,  ammunition  and  many  stores  fell  into  our  hands. 
This  was  grateful  news  to  the  men,  for  we  needed  both  very 
much,  and  our  transportation  trains  were  inadequate  to  the 
duty  of  regularly  supplying  us.  Jackson  was  vexed  that  so 
much  of  the  enemy's  baggage  had  escaped,  and  the  battle  had 
not  been  over  many  hours  ere  he  was  preparing  to  sally  forth 
and  get  on  their  flanks,  with  a  view  to  further  captures ;  for 
myself,  I  could  not  help  thinking  that  Manassas  was  glory 
enough  for  one  day,  and  felt  heartily  glad  I  was  not  one  in  his 
marching  division.  Truly,  Jackson  was  the  most  restless 
leader  the  world  ever  saw,  and  he  seemed  to  have  very  little 
consideration  for  the  bones  and  sinews  of  his  men,  so  that, 
when  remonstrated  with,  he  simply  answered :  "  The  men  like 
it — we  shall  find  plenty  of  provisions  on.  the  route,  if  the  ene- 
my have  any." 


CHAPTEE  XLII. 

t 

The  Battle-field — Capture  of  Prisoners — Confusion  of  the  Enemy's  Retreat  to  Cen- 
treville— Loss  of  Baggage — Bivouac  on  the  Field — Conversation  of  Officers  with 
Prisoners — Burnside  and  McClellan'a  Reenforcements — How  their^  Destination 
was  changed  from  Point  to  Point  by  the  Rapidity  of  Lee's  Movements — Retro- 
spect— The  strong  Position  of  Centreville  is  turned  by  one  of  Jackson's  fast 
Flank  Movements — The  Enemy  fall  back  from  Centreville  in  great  Haste  and 
Confusion — Heavy  Skirmishing  with  the  Enemy's  Rearguard  near  Fairfax — Death 
of  Generals  Stevens  and  Kearny  —  Further  Retreat  of  the  Enemy,  who  enter 
their  Fortified  Lines  round  Arlington  Heights  aud  Alexandria — Jackson  crosses 
into  Maryland — He  is  followed  by  several  Confederate  Divisions,  which  hold  the 
Mountain  Passes  at  Boonsboro — Jackson  suddenly  moves  from  Frederick  City. 

I  WAS  so  much  fatigued  when  the  engagement  closed  that  I 
would  fain  have  gathered  a  few  sticks  and  bivouacked  where 
sunset  found  me,  but  falling  in  with  a  cavalry  party  detailed  to 
watch  the  enemy  during  night,  we  rode  over  a  large  part  of 
the  battle-field,  and  pickets  being  posted,  the  "  reliefs  "  luckily 
found  a  few  tents  standing,  left  like  thousands  of  other  things 
in  the  hurry  of  retreat,  and  we  camped  there.  Barrels  of 
cracker-bread,  some  excellent  corned  beef,  and  half  a  sack  of 
ground  coffee  were  also  discovered  in  beating  about  through 
the  timber^so  that  fires  being  lighted,  we  unslung  our  mess 
traps,  and  were  soon  engaged  in  ravenously  devouring  our 
highly  prized  supper.  The  coffee  proved  a  great  luxury  to  the 
whole  party,  few  of  whom  had  tasted  this  beverage  since  the 
capture  of  stores  before  Eichmond  in  June.  Had  the  oldest 
and  best  of  wines  been  offered  in  exchange,  I  doubt  if  any 
would  have  parted  with  their  steaming  cups  of  Eio. 

We  formed  several  groups  round  as  many  fires,  lighted 
near  the  tents,  and  with  the  all-consoling  pipe,  soon  found  our- 
selves launching  forth  into  the  merits  and  ups  and  downs  of 
Pope's  eventful  campaign.  Some  troopers  of  the  party,  how- 
ever, had  made  a  discovery  of  something  'stronger  than  coffee, 
and  having  found  a  violin  among  the  deserted  effects  of  the 


FEDERAL    PRISONERS.  455 

departed  Yankees,  were  dancing  to  a  lively  tune.  With  long, 
uncut  beards,  whiskers,  and  moustaches,  heavy  riding-boots, 
and  sabres,  and  attired  with  Yankee  light-blue  overcoats,  our 
troopers  capered  about  with  all  the  elegance  of  young  bears. 
It  was  impossible  to  blame  them  for  their  gaiety;  they  had 
been  fearfully  overworked,  and  although  sent  out  again  on  out- 
post duty,  were  sufficiently  far  from  the  front  to  attract  atten- 
tion.. Our  bivouac  had  evidently  been  a  general  quartermas- 
ter's camp ;  we  found  so  many  things  belonging  to  such  a  de- 
partment, as  put  the  matter  beyond  doubt.  In  the  largest  of 
the  tents*  were  his  desks,  stools,  tables,  and  bed  —  in  others 
were  provisions  of  various  sorts,  as  if  some  commissary  also 
had  been  in  company,  while  much  hay,  straw,  and  corn,  proved 
very  acceptable  to  our  half-starved  animals.  We  could  plainly 
discern  the  enemy's  camp-fires  on  Centreville  Heights,  and 
rockets  were  frequently  bursting  in  the  air,  conveyiug  intelli- 
gence from  point  to  point.  The  greatest  number  of  troops 
seemed  to  be  stationed  farther  up  the  roads  towards  Fairfax, 
judging  from  the  large  luminous  bodies  of  clouds  hanging  in 
that  direction. 

Except  the  snorting  of  horses,  nothing  was  heard  during  the 
night — the  first  relief  fell  in  about  midnight,  and  trotted  off  in 
the  darkness — the  old  guard  returned  and  brought  no  news. 
How  long  I  remained  half  dozing  or  sound  asleep,  I  know 
not,  but  as  my  boots  became  very  hot  from  being  near  the  fire, 
I  awoke  in  a  bad  temper,  and  found  not  less  than  half-a-dozen 
Federal  prisoners  sitting  on  logs  round  the  fire,  who  were  talk, 
ing  in  subdued  tones.  They  were  infantry  men  —  two  were 
officers,  and  at  a  short  distance  I  could  perceive  one  of  our 
over-coated  and  'heavy-heeled  cavalry  men  standing  guard 
with  his  carbine  cocked. 

The  prisoners  had  been  captured  near  the  banks  of  Bull 
Run,  secreted  in  the  bushes,  and  had  surrendered  without  re- 
sistance. They  were  dusty,  ragged,  hungry,  and  haggard,  or 
their  looks  very  much  belied  them  ;  so  that  finding  I  could  not 
sleep,  I  sat  up  by  the  fire,  lit  my  pipe,  and  began  conversing 
with  the  officer  commanding  our  party,  who  was  still  awake. 
After  a  few  hints,  he  understood  me,  and  invited  the  officers  to 
a  drink  of  liquor,  and  laid  our  crackers  and  coffee  before  them, 


456  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

so  that  many  minutes  had  not  elapsed  ere  the  whole  Federal 
party  were  busily  engaged  cooking,  and  seemed  very  grateful 
for  our  considerate  behavior.  "  Men  must  eat,  you  know,"  said 
the  commandant,  sucking  his  pipe,  "  whether  friend  or  foe  — 
pitch  into  the  grub,  fellows,"  said  he,  "you'll  have  a  long 
march  to-morrow."  Some  of  the  men  cooked  for  the  two  offi- 
cers, who,  after  eating,  played  with  empty  pipes — a  hint  which 
was  quickly  perceived.  I  gave  them  a  little  tobacco,  and  the 
privates  being  allotted  a  tent,  bundled  in  among  the  straw,  and 
were  happier  than  if  sleeping  in  the  St.  Nicholas  Hotel.  The 
commandant  and  myself  were  soon  engaged  in  conversation 
with  the  two  officers,  whose  eyes  we  kept  from  closing  by  giv- 
ing occasional  draughts  of  whiskey,  a  process  they  did  not 
seem  averse  to,  for  one  of  them,  a  red-nosed  lieutenant,  seemed 
such  an  adept  in  emptying  a  small  half-pint  cup,  that  I  would 
wager  he-  could  account  for  a  dozen  at  any  time,  and  never 
even  cough  or  wink.  We  did  not  try  the  experiment  with 
him,  however,  but  adroitly  managed  to  keep  the  stone  jar  on 
our  side  of  the  fire,  without  wounding  his  sensitiveness. 

"Ah!  you  always  manage  to  out-manceuvre  us,"  said  one. 
"  Had  it  not  been  for  Cedar  Eun,  this  present  disaster  would 
not  have  befallen  us.  How  so  ?  That  is  very  plain ;  for  if 
Pope  had  been  able  to  maintain  his  position  south  of  the  Eap- 
pahannock,  all  McClellan's  and  Burnside's  forces  would  have 
reenforced  him  at  Fredericksburgh;  instead  of  that,  our  men 
were  ordered  to  Aquia  Creek.  It  was  thought  we  could  hold 
the  north  bank  of  the  Eappahannock  for  some  short  time ;  but 
when  Pope  was  forced  back  on  Manassas  by  Jackson!s  flank 
movement,  the  point  of  debarkation  was  again  changed  to  Al- 
exandria— a  considerable  distance  in  our  rear.  Thus  your 
General  Lee  seemed  to  understand  the  anxiety  of  Pope  to  be 
reenforced,  and,  by  rapid  movements,  prevented  the  mass  of 
those  troops  arriving  until  too  late." 

"Well,  those  which  did  arrive  did  not  do  much,  I  think. 
Prisoners  from  McClellan's  men  say  that  the  whole  army  was 
disaffected,  and  that  general  officers  made  no  bones  about  call- 
ing Pope  a  fool  publicly." 

"True,  those  troops  of  McClellan,  which  arrived  on  the 
twenty-eighth  and  twenty-ninth  did  not  do  much,  as  you  say, 
but  I  can  assure  you  they  suffered  much — yes,  horribly — and 


THE    FEDERAL    LOSS.  457 

more',s  the  pity  that  such  willing  men  should  have  been  sent  to 
wholesale  slaughter  under  the  orders  of  such  a  cabbage-head  as 
Pope.  Parts  of  Burnside's  and  Hunter's  troops  which  had  been 
long  in  the  field  and  had  been  hurried  on  to  Pope,  were  ex- 
pected to  work  wonders,  but,  upon  the  proof,  broke  into  dis- 
order. Besides,  we  had  no  regular  supplies.  Your  generals 
had  appropriated  or  destroyed  the  depots  at  Manassas ;  the 
railroad  to  our  rear  also  had  been  destroyed  in  part  by  your 
cavalry,  so  that,  you  may  scarcely  believe  it,  we  have  been  liv- 
ing for  the  past  week  very  irregularly  and  precariously,  while, 
worse  than  all,  our  ammunition  was  scant,  and  there  seemed  to 
to  be  no  fixed  arrangements  for  supplying  us  with  any  thing 
from  Alexandria  or  Washington.  I  am  heartily  sick  of  the 
business." 

"  Yes,"  chimed  in  Rednosc,  "  I  wish  I  was  strolling  up 
Broadway  to-night,"  — "  into  some  bar-room,"  he  might  have 
added,  for,  from  a  sidelong  glance  cast  at  our  precious  stone 
jar,  he  evidently  wanted  "  a  whet,"  sugar  or  no  sugar. 

In  answer  to  inquiries,  the  first  speaker  continued  :  "I  al- 
ways heard  that  Cedar  Eun  had  cost  Banks  upwards  of  three 
thousand  men,  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  and  during  the 
last  three  fights,  I  should  judge  we  could  not  have  lost, less 
than  fourteen  thousand  more.*  I  did  not  hear  that  we  had 
lost  thirty  pieces  of  artillery,  but  your  statement  is  doubtless 
correct,  for  I  know  we  must  have  suffered  fearfully,  judging 
from  the  hurry  and  confusion  of  retreat.  Your  pickets  in- 
formed me,  that  all  the  roads  are  literally  blocked  up  with 
wagons,  caissons,  and  cannon.  I  do  not  doubt  it,  for  it  is  no 
use  disguising  the  fact  that  we  were  completely  routed.  Your 
attack  upon  our  left  was  a  fierce  affair,1  and  Porter  suffered  ter- 
ribly. Had  your  assault  upon  our  centre  succeeded  as  well, 

*  General  Pope  admitted,  unofficially,  that  his  losses  during  the  twenty-eighth, 
twenty-ninth,  and  thirtieth  amounted  to  over  seventeen  thousand  kill«l,  wounded, 
and  prisoners,  but  the  authorities  at  Washington  contradicted  the  report,  anil  said 
the  total  would  not  be  rriore  than  eight  thousand,  as  many  stragglers  were  return- 
ing to  the  ranks  again.  Pope  certainly  had  better  opportunities  of  knowing  the 
truth  than  General  Ilallcck,  for  when  General  Sumner  and  others  joined  him  near 
Centreville  with  twenty  thousand  men,  Pope  said  they  had  arrived  too  late,  and 
-would  barely  fill  up  the  loss  sustained  by  him  during  the  week.  It  will  not  bo 
possible  to  know  the  whole  truth  till  all  is  over,  for  the  North  always  misrepresents 
matters. 


458  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

we  should  never  have  reached  Centreville  alive.  Sigel  be- 
haved like  a  hero  there,  and  so  did  McDowell ;  had  they  not 
rushed  into  the  wide  gap  with  fresh  troops  and  stubbornly 
defended  it,  our  whole  army  would  have  been  divided  and 
slaughtered  piecemeal. 

"  It  is  true,  as  you  have  been  told,  that  we  never  had  con- 
fidence in  Pope ;  we  all  felt  that  he  was  perfectly  bewildered 
during  the  week,  galloping  from  this  place  to  that,  giving  or- 
ders one  minute  and  countermanding  them  another.  We  did 
as  directed,  however,  and  here  we  are,  prisoners,  but  might 
have  fallen  into  worse  hands,  judging  from  your  hospitality 
and  kindness."  We  explained  that  several  thousand  (six  thou- 
sand) prisoners  had  been  captured  during  the  past  few  days, 
and  were  paroled  as  far  as  convenience  would  permit,  which 
news  surprised  them ;  but  the  bare  idea  of  a  parole,  and  the 
possible  chance  of  strolling  up  Broadway  ere  many  days,  had 
a  visible  effect  upon  Mr.  Kednose,  who  unceremoniously  seized 
our  jar,  -and  helped  himself  to  a  very  considerable  suck  there- 
from. 

As  conversation  continued,  we  ascertained  from  the  Federal 
captain  who  had  been  speaking,  that  he  was  employed  on  the 
"staff  during  the  day,  and  had  traversed  the  greater  part  of  the 
field,  so  that  his  remarks  were  not  all  hearsay.  He  described 
the  loss  of  the  enemy  as  being  truly  considerable,  and  did  not 
deny  that  their  line  officers  had  suffered  much.  Banks  had 
not  participated  in  the  engagement,  and  it  was  generally  sup- 
posed he  had  been  cut  off  by  our  forces.*  The  various  brooks 
and  streams  were  represented  as  quite  discolored,  and  contained 
many  bodies  of  friend  and  foe — temporary  and  other  bridges 
were  broken  at  different  places,  and  cannons,  wagons,  and 
horses  were  not  unfrequently  seen  partly  submerged. 

Nothing  in  the  world  could  have  induced  me  to  travel  over 
that  blood-stained  plain — one  battle-field  is  much  like  another, 
and  I  had  seen  so  many,  that  few  things  novel  would  have 
repaid  me  for  the  labor,  had  I  been  so  inclined.  Nothing  but 
revolting,  sickening  sights  could  be  met  with;  and  save  the 
lights  of  burying  parties,  and  ambulance  trains  slowly  moving 

*  This  was  incorrect,  for  he  joined  Pope  on  the  march  from  Centreville,  but  loot 
much  of  his  baggage,  as  usual. 


PORTRAIT  OF  JACKSON.  459 

to  and  fro  in  all  directions,  little  was  there  to  tempt  me  from 
my  couch  of  straw.  What  might  transpire  on  the  morrow 
none  could  imagine,  but  reports  were  confirmed  that  Jackson 
was  busily  engaged  in  provisioning  his  corps  from  captured 
stores,  and  no  one  doubted  that  he  would  soon  be  in  motion. 
The  probable  object  of  his  anticipated  movement  I  have  alluded 
to  at  the  end  of  the  preceding  chapter.* 

Long  before  daylight  on  the  morrow,  (August  thirty  first,) 
out  vidcttes  were  relieved,  and  others  fully  rested  took  their 
place.  Few  things  of  value  were  left  for  them ;  our  troopers 
during  the  night  had  ransacked  the  woods,  and  appropriated 
every  thing  which  could  be  of  use  or  ornament.  Coffee, 
cracker-bread,  sugar,  and  shoes,  were  in  most  demand,  while 

*  A  Southern  gentleman  thus  writes  of  Jackson,  whom  about  this  period  he  saw 
for  the  first  time :  "  There  you  see  self-command,  perseverance,  indomitable  will, 
that  seems  neither  to  know  nor  think  of  any  earthly  obstacle,  and  all  this  without 
the  least  admixture  of  vanity,  assumption,  pride,  foolhardiness,  or  any  thing  of  the 
disposition  to  exert  its  pretensions,  but  from  the  quiet  sense  of  the  conviction  of 
his  relative  position,  which  sets  the  vexed  question  of  self-importance  at  rest ;  a 
peculiarity,  I  would  remark,  of  great  minds.  His  face  also  expresses  courage  in 
the  highest  degree,  and  his  phrenological  development  indicates  a  vast  amount  of 
energy  and  activity.  His  forehead  is  broad  and  prominent,  the  occipital  and  sin- 
cipital regions  are  both  large  and  well-balanced  ;  eyes  expressing  a  singular  union  of 
mildness,  energy,  and  concentration ;  cheek  and  nose  both  long  and  well  formed. 
His  dress  is  a  common  gray  suit  of  faded  cassimere,  coat,  pants  and  hat — the  coat 
slightly  braided  on  the  sleeve,  just  enough  to  be  perceptible,  the  collar  displaying 
the  mark  of  major-general.  Of  his  gait  it  is  sufficient  to  say,  that  he  just  goes 
along;  not  a  particle  of  the  strut,  the  military  swagger,  or  '  turkey -gobbler '  parade, 
so  common  among  officers  of  small  rank  and  smaller  minds.  It  would  be  a  profit- 
able study  for  some  of  our  military  swells  to  devote  one  hour  each  day  to  the  con- 
templation of  the  'magnificent  plainness',  of  old  Stonewall.  To  military  fame, 
which  they  can  never  hope  to  attain,  he  unites  the  simplicity  of  a  child,  the 
straightforwardness  of  a  Western  farmer.  There  may  be  those  who  would  be  less 
struck  with  his  appearance  as  thus  accoutred,  than  if  bedizened  with  lace  and 
holding  the  reins  of  a  magnificent  barb  caparisoned  and  harnessed  for  glorious 
war ;  but  to  one  who  had  seen  him  as  I  had,  at  Coal  Harbor  and  Malvcrn  Hills,  in 
the  rain  of  shell  and  the  blaze  of  the  dead  lights  of  the  battle-field,  when  nothing 
less  than  a  mountain  would  serve  as  a  breastwork  against  the  enormous  shells,  and 
iron  bolts  twenty  inches  long,  which  showered  and  shrieked  through  the  sickly 
air,  General  Jackson  in  tatters  would  be  the  same  as  General  Jackson  in  gilded 
uniform.  Last  Sunday  he  was  dressed  in  his  old  faded  uniform  as  usual,  and 
bestrode  as  common  a  horse  as  one  could  find  in  a  summer's  day.  In  my  view 
he  is  without  peer — he  is  a  nonpareil.  He  has  enough  energy  to  supply  a  whole 
manufacturing  district,  and  enough  genius  to  stock  two  or  three  military  schools 
like  West-Point" 


4:60  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE  SOUTH. 

others  found  overcoats,  new  saddles,  and  harness,  canteens,  and 
illustrated  newspapers ;  so  that  when  the  old  guard  fell  in  and 
trotted  back  to  camp,  with  large  bundles  of  hay  and  bags  of 
corn  strapped  on  behind  them,  few  regretted  having  been  sent 
to  the  front  during  night.  From  the  loud  conversation  and 
laughter  continually  going  on  in  their  ranks,  I  had  a  shrewd 
suspicion  that  another  barrel  had  been  discovered  somewhere  in 
the  woods;  but  while  taking  frequent  sucks  from  their  can- 
teens, they  winked  knowingly  at  one  another,  and  ' '  never  let 
on  "  to  the  commanding  officer. 

As  I  approached  head-quarters  through  the  numerous  infan- 
try camps  the  men  were  busy  cleaning  their  arms,  and  ammu- 
nition was  being  distributed.  "  I  wish  the  commissary  would 
come  along,"  said  one  hungry-looking  fellow,  "for  we've  been 
fed  on  nothing, else  but  cartridges  for  the  past  week!"  All 
was  bustle  and  preparation ;  but  the  transportation  trains,  artil- 
lery horses,  and  the  ambulance  corps  looked  so  jaded  and  worn, 
that  I  could  not  help  thinking  our  army  was  too  much  pros- 
trated to  commence  the  line  of  march  on  that  day.  In  truth, 
every  one  was  fatigued,  and  had  been  fearfully  overworked. 
As  to  our  cattle  —  the  chief  machinery  of  an  army  —  they 
seemed  more  dead  than  alive,  and  were  as  bony  as  Kosinante, 
nor  could  all  the  coaxing  in  the  world,  or  an  abundance  of 
captured  hay  and  corn,  tempt  them  from  hanging  their  heads 
dejectedly  or  lying  immovable  upon  the  ground.  Our  mules, 
even- — those  animals  which  stand  up  under  all  fatigue  like 
things  of  steel — :were  spiritless,  and  their  raw  sides  told  plainly 
of  the  fearful  labor  and  forced  marches  to  which  they  had  been 
subjected.  Men  and  animals  seemed  inclined  for  sleep ;  and  I 
noticed  more  than  one  youngster,  with  a  bandaged  head  or 
limb,  moaning  in  his  sleep ;  fatigue  had  numbed  the  sense  of 
pain.  They  were  too  proud  to  leave  ranks  for  a  flesh  wound ; 
and  there  many  of  these  heroic  boys  lay  fast  asleep  against  the 
trees,  with  half  a  blanket  thrown  round  them,  their  toes  pro- 
truding from  their  boots,  their  garments  in  rags,  and  their-  faces 
blackened  with  powder. 

"  Surely  we  can't  move  to-day,"  I  remarked  to  an  aide  I  met, 
who,  rein  in  hand,  was  leading  his  animal  to  a  brook. 

"  I  hope  not,"  was  the  reply.  .  "  If  we  do,  /  shan't ;  in  fact, 


MOVEMENTS  OF  JACKSON.  461 

I  can't !  I've  been  out  half  the  night,  and  am  more  dead  than 
alive;  in  fact,  I  will  shim  head-quarters  till-  perfectly  rested ; 
for  if  I  go  there,  I  shall  be  surely  accommodated  with  another 
night  ride  of  thirty  miles.  I  was  bogged  and  bothered  last 
night,  and  came  within  an  ace  of  being  taken,  for  the  enemy's 
camps  were  not  more  than  half  a  mile  from  me,  and  no  fires 
burning.  They  are  moving — I  suppose  you  have  heard  it? — 
and  Jackson  is  moving  also.  He  started  out  early  this  morn- 
ing, through  the  hills  on  our  left;  and  report  says  he'll  fall 
upon  their  flanks  near  Fairfax  or  Fall's  Church.  Lee,  at  the 
same  time,  will  push  the  rear — mind  if  he  don't;  and  then 
there'll  be  another  big  fight,  sure,  and  a  few  more  thousands 
of  us  will  be  tumbled  over." 

The  information  was  correct.  Jackson,  with  scarcely  any 
thing  to  encumber  him  but  ammunition,  was  off  on  a  forced 
march ;  but  his  wagons  (nearly  all  empty)  were  to  start  towards 
Leesburgh,  and  be  there  within  three  days.  What  did  this 
mean  ?  The  movement  of  our  trains  was  always  an  unerring 
thermometer  of  coming  events ;  but  why  send  them  into  Lou- 
don,  when  the  enemy  are  in  force  round  Winchester,  but  thirty 
miles  from  Leesburgh  ?  Such  were  my  thoughts,  and  I  felt 
nonplussed. 

"Hold  on  awhile,"  whispered  a  friend,  "there's  a  heavy 
cavalry  force  sent  into  the  Valley,  which  will  soon  dislodge 
them,  and  send  them  into  Harper's  Ferry,  howling.  Who 
knows,  but  we  may  go  into  Maryland  ere  many  days  ?"  con- 
tinued my  friend,  slapping  me  on  the  back  in  triumph. 

"  Who  knows,  indeed  ?"  I  thought,  and  smoked  in  silence. 
I  felt  annoyed  to  think  that  camp  rumors  regarding  an  inva- 
sion of  Maryland  might  prove  true.  The 'people  of  that  State 
had  done  but  little  for  us,  and  were  playing  fast  and  loose  with 
both  parties,  and  as  a  State  it  was  unworthy  of  our  assistance. 
It  could  not  be  denied  that  we  were  far  from  being  in  a  fit  con- 
dition to  meet  the  fierce  tide  of  opposition  which  would  surely 
roll  against  us ;  for  my  knowledge  of  Northern  craft  and  hy- 
pocrisy convinced  me  that  the  enemy  had  a  large  force  scat- 
.tered  through  the  States,  which  would  be  rapidly  concentrated 
around  Washington  by  land  and  water,  against  which  a  tired, 
hungry,  shoeless,  and  jaded  army  of  seventy-five  thousand  men 


462  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

could  effect  but  little.  When  we  suddenly  broke  up  camps 
round  Richmond  to  pounce  upon  Pope,  our  whole  available 
force  did  not  muster  more  than  eighty-five  thousand;  and 
allowing  for  losses  at  Cedar  Run,  and  the  three  days'  engage- 
ments on  the  plains  of  Manassas,  ten  thousand  may  be  safely 
deducted  from  that  total,  if  not  more.  A  strong,  unconquer- 
able will  was  the  sole  motive  power  which  had  hitherto  kept 
our  army  moving,  but  how  long  even  that  would  respond  to 
the  many  trials,  privations,  and  battles  yet  in  store,  was  a  ques- 
tion of  anxiety  to  me ;  for  if  our  men  were  made  of  oak  or 
steel,  they  could  not  have  been  more  severely  and  fiercely  tried 
than  they  had  been  during  June,  July,  and  August.  "  Our 
Generals  know  best,"  I  thought,  in  conclusion,  and,  with  that 
conviction,  said  nothing. 

Next  day  (September  first)  it  was  understood  that  Jackson 
was  fully  in  position  on  the  left  flank  of  the  retreating  enemy, 
and  Lee  began  his  advance  upon  Centreville.  Little  opposi- 
tion was  met  with,  and  we  followed  on  as  rapidly  as  prudence 
and  caution  would  permit.  Pope's  army  was  evidently  in  a 
state  verging  on  open  panic,  so  that  when  our  advance  guards 
assailed  their  rear  on  various  roads,  they  broke  into  confusion, 
leaving  much  of  their  baggage  in  our  hands.  The  succession 
of  combats  that  ensued  at  various  times  during  the  day  and  the 
morning  following  were  not  of  great  importance,  yet  many 
fresh  troops  which  acted  as  their  rear-guard  suffered  consider- 
ably; two  leading  generals,  and  many  other  officers  of  note, 
being  killed,  while  vainly  endeavoring  to  rally  their  panic- 
stricken  troops.* 

Fast  as  theyjetreated  towards  Arlington  and  Alexandria,  they 

*  The  enemy's  loss  in  these  skirmishes  has  been  estimated  at  more  than  ten 
nundred  killed  and  wounded.  Among  many  officers  who  fell  were  Generals 
Stevens  and  Kearny.  The  latter  met  his  death  in  a  singular  manner.  The  Federal 
cavalry  finding  Jackson  close  upon  their  flank,  and  Lee  in  hot  pursuit  at  the  rear, 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Fairfax  Court-House,  beat  a  hasty  retreat,  and  infantry  be- 
coming alarmed,  abandoned  every  thing,  and  ran  also.  Stevens  and  Kearny  im- 
mediately faced  about  with  their  divisions;  and  while  the  latter  was  out  recon- 
noitring, he  suddenly  came  upon  one  of  our  Georgia  regiments.  Perceiving  dan- 
ger, he  shouted,  "  Don't  fire — I'm  a  friend !"  but  instantly  wheeled  his  horse  round, 
and,  lying  flat  down  upon  the  animal,  had  fairly  escaped  many  bullets,  when  one 
struck  him  at  the  bottom  of  the  spine,  and,  ranging  upwards,  killed  him  almost 
instantly. 


ADVANCE  OF  JACKSON.  463 

did  not  effect  their  inglorious  flight  within  those  mighty  strong- 
holds without  much  annoyance  and  loss -from  our  active  cav- 
alry, who  hung  in  clouds  upon  their  rear,  pistolling  and  s#- 
bring  with  but  little  opposition.  All  the  roads,  indeed,  gave 
endless  tokens  of  the  many  combats  which  had  ensued,  for  dead, 
wounded,  baggage,  and  prisoners  were  numerous.  It  was  never 
expected  by  the  humblest  drummer  in  our  ranks  that  Le'e 
would  attempt  any  assault  upon  Arlington  Heights  or  the  in- 
trenched camps  extending  for  miles  round  Alexandria.  Lee's 
estate  was  on  the  Heights,  and  no  one  knew  better  than  he  the 
almost  impregnable  nature  of  the  many  fortifications  thrown  up 
there  in  the  fall  of  the  previous  year.  Operations  were  contem- 
plated in  another  direction.  Jackson  was  proceeding  towards 
Leesburgh  by  the  Drainsville  (or  river)  road,  while  many  troops 
were  marching  parallel  to  him  on  the  Gum  Spring  road,  so  that 
the  Upper  Potomac  was  evidently  intended  to  be  our  next  field 
of  operations. 

In  following  the  general  line  of  march,  which  was  now  well 
beaten  by  the  passage  of  troops,  I  frequently  fell  in  with  an  old 
acquaintance ;  and  the  scenes  through  which  we  passed  were 
familiarly  known  to  me.  I  have  before  remarked  on  the  great 
fertility  of  the  fields  of  Loudon  and  adjacent  counties  compared 
with  the  plains  of  Manassas  and  parts  of  Fauquier  County, 
through  which  we  had  but  recently  marched.  I  was  informed, 
indeed,  that  the  old  farmers  had  been  advised  by  Confederate 
officers  to  stay  at  home  and  cultivate  their  fields,  even  when  we 
had  retreated  thence  seventeen  months  before ;  so  that  well- 
stocked  barn-yards  and  abundant  crops  of  every  sort  of  grain 
were  now  awaiting  our  long  lines  of  empty  wagons  which  ac- 
companied us.  The  behavior  of  Federals  to  the  inhabitants" 
had  been  cruel  and  exacting ;  but  not  dreaming  of  our  ever  vis- 
iting those  parts  again,  they  never  imagined  these  accumu- 
lated crops  would  by  any  chance  fall  into  our  hands.  Their 
calculations  were  incorrect,  and  our  advance  was  pursued  so 
rapidly  that  we  gave  no  opportunity  for  their  removal  or  de- 
struction. 

Our  march  was  greeted  everywhere  with  loud  demonstra- 
tions of  joy  ;  and  when  it  became  known  that  our  destination 
was  Maryland,  enthusiasm  ran  wild.  Old  and  young,  white 
and  black,  thronged  the  roadsides  'with  banners  and  waving 


464  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE 

handkerchiefs.  Gray-haired  fathers  and  half-frantic  mothers 
sought  sons  and  relatives  in  the  various  regiments  which  con- 
tinually passed  along  the  hot  and  dusty  roads.  Everywhere  it 
seemed  a  holiday.  The  mere  fact  that  the  enemy  had  been 
repeatedly  whipped,  rilled  every  one  with  so  much  joy,  that 
women  young  and  old  wept  freely,  while  old  men  waved  their 
hats  and  tossed  them  in  the  air  with  delight.  Tables  were 
spread  for  us  by  the  roadside,  and  superintended  by  some 
bright-eyed  girl,  while  darkies  grinned,  and  laughed,  and  skip- 
ped about  with  all  the  grimaces  and  antics  of  young  monkeys. 
Nods  of  recognition  were  frequent  along  the  Gum  Spring  road, 
for  our  brigade  had  been  stationed  many  months  in  Loudon ; 
and  as  we  approached  Leesburgh,  I  was  met  by  farmer  Wil- 
kins,  who,  in  a  white  felt  hat,  blue  homespun  coat,  and  yellow 
leather  riding-breeches,  fell  into  line,  and  almost  squeezed  my 
fingers  off  in  his  warmth  and  excitement.  From  him  I  learned 
some  particulars  regarding  Yankee  rule  on  the  Upper  Potomac 
since  our  departure,  and  the  recital  affected  the  old  man  even 
to  tears — "Not  that  I  weep  for  the  loss  of  my  sons,"  said  he; 
"  but  I  do  cry  because  I  am  not  young  enough  to  bear  arms 
against  the  cursed  wretches  who  have  been  quartered  among 
us  so  long." 

It  grieves  me  to  omit  the  many  instances  of  petty  despotism 
in  Leesburgh  which  my  friend  related  to  me ;  but  a  single  ex- 
ample must  suffice.  I  must  premise  that  the  first  act  of 
Geary's  men  had  been  to  sack  the  shop  of  Dr.  Motts,  an  apoth- 
ecary, and  gut  the  building.  Geary  himself  took  up  his  quar- 
ters in  Motts's  residence,  to  the  great  discomfort  and  annoyance 
of  madame  and  the  children — the  doctor  being  with  us  in  the 
army.  From  this  residence  Geary  issued  various  rhapsodical 
orders,  and  strutted  about  with  a  clanking  sabre  like  a  modern 
Alexander,  before  whom  all  the  rustic  population  were  expect- 
ed to  bow  down. 

Dr.  Janney,  an  old  gentleman  of  sixty  years,  was  summoned 
before  him.  "You  were  President  of  the  State  Convention 
which  decided  upon  secession,  Mr.  Janney?"  "I  feel  proud 
to  o-wp  it,"  was  the  calm  reply.  "  I  want  accommodation  in 
your  house,  sir,  for  several  officers.  I  hear  you  refuse."  "  I 
have  no  accommodation  in  the  house,  sir,  for  more  than  my 


FEDERAL  CRUELTY.  465 

family.  I  can  not  accommodate  your  men,  and  would  not  if  I 
could."  Despite  his  years,  his  tottering  gait  and  infirmities,  he 
was  immediately  sent  to  Washington,  and  incarcerated  in  a 
loathsome  prison.  He  was  desired  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance 
as  the  price  of  his  release,  but  the  brave  old  man  smiled,  and 
replied  with  scorn:  "Never,  while  there  is  breath  in  my 
body!" 

My  old  friend  finished  his  narrative  by  telling  me  that  the 
enemy  had,  during  our  absence,  erected  several  pontoon-bridges 
over  the  river,  at  various  points ;  and  although  some  of  them 
required  repairs,  he  was  certain  we  could  avail  ourselves  of 
them,  and  soon  render  them  practicable  for -crossing  into  Mary- 
land. The  river  was  low,  however ;  and  even  should  the  tem- 
porary bridges  prove  worthless,  there  were  several  fords  by 
which  we  could  cross,  and  establish  ourselves  in  the  rear  of  the 
many  Federal  fortifications  which  in  times  past  had  frowned  so 
ominously  on  our  small  force  under  Evans. 

We  were  now  approaching  Leesburgh.  The  town  lay  at  the 
foot  of  the  hills  over  which  we  were  then  crossing,  and  the 
loud  roar  of  voices,  and  waving  of  banners,  told  me  that  the 
head  of  our  column  was  entering  the  place  amid  the  wildest 
demonstrations  of  its  inhabitants.  Bands  played,  colors  waved, 
men  shouted,  women  wept,  and  all  was  a  scene  of  dust,  con- 
fusion, and  noise.  "Dixie,"  "Maryland,"  the  " Bonnie  *Blue 
Flag,"  and  the  "  Marseillaise,"  were  drowned  in  the  tumult  of 
voices,  bumping  of  wagons,  jingling  of  artillery,  and  the  heavy 
tramp  of  infantry.  Vainly  did '  ambitious  musicians  blow  till 
red  or- black  in  the  face ;  the  mouths  of  commanders  were  seen 
to  move,  and  gestures  followed,  but  no  sounds  of  command  were 
audible ;  yells,  cheers,  shouts,  laughter,  and  rapid  high-toned 
greetings  were  heard  on  every  hand,  until  I  began  to  think  we 
were  marching  into  Bedlam.  Bread,  cheese,  butter,  eggs,  meats, 
fruits— ^-every  thing  eatable  was  strewn  on  the  adewalks ;  while 
loaves  of  bread  were  flying  through  the  air  in  all  directions, 
which  were  quickly  caught  and  stuck  on  the  men's  bayonets. 
The  bayonet,  indeed,  was  particularly  useful  in  this  respect,  and 
I  could  not  help  noticing  that  many  had  new  shoes,  loaves  of 
bread,  chunks  of  pork  ,and  fresh  meat,  dangling  thus  from 
bayonet-points ;  while  cups  of  tea,  coffee,  soup,  and  the  like 
30  * 


466  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE   SOUTH. 

were  freely  handed  to  our  thirsty  fellows,  who  hastily  drank 
and  joined  ranks  again. 

Our  officers  kept  moving,  however,  and  no  halt  was  sounded 
until  we  were  a  considerable  distance  beyond  town,  and  strict 
guards  were  placed  to  prevent  stragglers  from  going  to  or 
staying  there.  I  learned  that  Jackson-'s  corps  had  travelled  by 
the  Drainsville  road,  passed  over  Goose  Creek,  two  miles  east 
of  and  below  Leesburgh,  had  rapidly  pushed  ahead  to  Point  of 
Kocks,  where  he  crossed,  broke  up  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Kail- 
road  there,  thus  isolating  Harper's  Ferry  from  all  telegraphic 
and  other  connection  with  Washington,  and  was  still  push- 
ing forward  towards  Frederick,  the  State  capital  of  Maryland. 
Such  rapid  marching  seems  incredible  with  defective  transporta- 
tion and  worn-out  troops.  It  must  be  confessed,  however,  that 
no  part  of  our  army  was  troubled  with  loaded  trains,  for,  ex- 
cept extra  ammunition,  all  the  wagons  were  empty ! 

Parties  of  our  cavalry  swam  their  horses  at  Edwards's  Ferry, 
and  having  scoured  the  country  far  and  wide,  even  to  within  a 
short  distance  of  Washington,  (thirty  miles  off,)  returned  with 
information  to  the  effect  that  no  enemy  was  visible — all  their 
numerous  earthworks  were  tenantless,  and  no  opposition  need 
be  expected  to  our  crossing.  Among  other  points,  it  was  ascer- 
tained that  White's  Ford,  Coon's  Ford,  Ball's  Bluff,  and  other 
places  could  be  well  crossed  by  infantry  and  cavalry,  and,  if 
repaired,  the  enemy's  old  pontoons  would  prove  safe  enough 
for  artillery  and  other  trains.  These  places  were  selected,  and 
the  work  of  crossing  immediately  began.  Cavalry  with  light 
artillery  landed  first;  and  at  different  places  infantry  were 
pouring  across,  the  water  in  many  parts  of  the  shoals  not  being 
more  than  two  or  three  feet  deep.  It  was  a  refreshing  amuse- 
ment on  a  warm  day,  and  our  dusty  infantry  seemed  to  enter 
into  the  spirit  of  the  thing  with  right  good  will.  Accidents 
would  sometimes  occur,  and  many  a  field  officer,  from  indiscre- 
tion or  bravado,  deviated  from  the  prescribed  route,  and  sud": 
denly  found  himself,  horse  and  all,  floundering  about  in  deep 
water,  amid  the  derisive  groans  and  jeers  of  his  troops ;  while 
an  odd  Dutchman  or  two  were  observed  standing  on  the  banks, 
"bewailing  the  loss  of  their  drums,  /is  the  huge  instruments 
floated  and  rolled  down  stream  towards  Washington. 


FEELING    IN  MARYLAND.  467 

Considering  all  things,  our  passage  of  the  Potomac  was  a 
decided  success,  and  no  sooner  accomplished  than  instant  dis- 
positions were  made  for  moving  on  towards  Frederick,  and 
forming  line  with  Jackson,  already  in  battle  array  there.  Bands 
played  "  My  Maryland,"  until  the  sound  was  oppressive ;  for  I 
did  not  believe  at  the  time  that  our  occupation  of  any  portion 
of  the  State  would  be  of  great  duration.  We  had  not  been 
long  upon  the  march,  however,  ere  cavalry  men  and  quarter- 
masters rode  a  considerable  distance  into  the  interior,  and  were 
soon  actively  engaged  in  buying  up  whatever  stores  could  be  or 
service  to  us,  so  that  we  had  not  progressed  far  ere  many  things 
were  delivered  out  in  rations,  which  had  been  unknown  to  the 
majority  of  us  for  many  months.  It  was  evident  that  chiefs  of 
the  quartermaster's  and  commissary  departments  had  received 
full  and  final  instructions,  and  were  obeying  them  with  alacrity, 
and  to  the  letter.  No  violence  or  incivility  was  shown  on  our 
part,  our  agents  were  received  with  much  urbanity,  and  all 
transactions  were  satisfactorily  arranged  with  Confederate  scrip 
or  Federal  paper.  The  few  inhabitants  we  met  betrayt  d  evi- 
dent pleasure  at  our  arrival,  but  were  extremely  cautious  and 
circumspect  in  showing  it.  They  would  look  on  arid  smile  as 
we  passed,  but  seemed  much  constrained  in  manner,  as  if  feel- 
ing certain  that  Union  men  were  in  their  midst  quietly  taking 
note  of  all  actions  or  expressions,  and  ready  to  divulge  names 
at  fitting  opportunities.  Some  few  young  men  openly  avowed 
their  Southern  feeling,  and  joined  us,  but  the  greater  number 
stood  aloof  as  if  thinking,  "  I  should  much  like  to  assist  you 
if  I  dare ;  but  how  long  will  they  remain  ?  I  am  between  two 
fires  ;  I  must  sacrifice  principle  and  secure  my  home.  Let  them 
fight  it  out;  for  Maryland  will  go  with  the  strongest."  "Women 
were  more  ardent  in  their  expressions  than  men ;  and  while  I 
cannot  but  despise  the  thousands  standing  with  hands  (in  pock- 
ets idly  looking  on,  while  Southern  States  were  fighting  their 
battles,  I  must  admire  the  beauty,  kindness,  and  whole-souled 
fervor  of  Maryland  women,  who,  in  thousands  of  ways,  Evinced 
their  loyalty  and  love  for  our  cause. 

But  while  various  divisions  of  our  army  were  taking  up  po- 
sitions between  Frederick  and  the  river,  movements  were  trans- 
piring in  other  directions.  It  was  said  that  a  heavy  force  under 
Johnston  was  between  Fairfax  and  Centreville,  watching  the 


468  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

enemy's  movement  round  Arlington  Heights  and  Alexandria ; 
and  that,  should  they  think  proper  to  sally  forth  from  those 
strongholds,  and  make  a  rush  for  Richmond  by  the  Manassas 
route,  while  Lee  was  far  away,  their  progress  would  be  stopped 
at  Centre  ville  by 'heavy  earthworks  and  batteries,  which  had 
been  hurriedly  thrown  up  there  for  that  purpose.  The  report 
was  plausible,  and  the  necessity  for  such  precautions  admitted 
by  all,  but  whether  any  such  force  or  fortifications  existed  in 
fact  I  have  never  been  able  to  learn  with  certainty. 

Cavalry  were  reported  advancing  rapidly  upon  "Winchester, 
and  accounts  came  in  of  several  severe  skirmishes  with  the 
Federals  under  "White,  who  was  said  to  be  falling  back  upon 
Harper's  Ferry,  where  General  Miles  commanded  with  thirteen 
thousand  men  and  fifty  guns.  I  also  heard  that  some  of  our 
forces  had  branched  off  from  Leesburgh,  and  were  marching 
towards  the  village  of  Berlin,  situated  but  a  few  miles  from, 
and  in  the  rear  of,  the  Maryland  Heights,  commanding  Harper's 
Ferry  from  the  north  bank  of  the  Potomac ;  while  others  were 
said  to  be  secretly  moving  towards  the  Loudon  Heights,  which 
could  command  part  of  Harper's  Ferry,  Bolivar,  Bolivar 
Heights,  and  a  large  area  of  the  Shenandoah  Yalley  from  the 
south  side  of  the  Potomac.  This  information  was  given  with 
much  secrecy ;  but  I  could  scarcely  credit  the  idea  that  Miles 
and  White  were  such  blockheads  as  not  to  be  aware  of  the  fact 
that  forces  were  thus  secretly  massing  in  different  directions, 
and  only  waiting  for  final  orders  to  encircle  them.  From  their 
actions  one  would  be  led  to  suppose  Federal  commanders  were 
asleep,  or  that  they  thought  all  Confederate  attacks  would  come 
from  the  direction  of  Winchester,  where  much  of  our  cavalry 
was  stationed^  foraging  and  the  like.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that 
many  of  our  troops  must  have  been  elsewhere  than  in  line  be- 
tween tke  Potomac  and  Frederick,  for,  except  Jackson's  corps, 
I  saw  few  others  there. 

W%  had  now  been  in  Maryland  some  time,  and  were  drawn 
up  in  line-of-battle  night  and  day,  yet  no  enemy  appeared.  A 
full  week  had  elapsed  since  we  fired  our  last  shot  at  the  Fed- 
eral rear-guard  near  Fairfax ;  and,  although  in  the  enemy's  coun- 
try, accumulating  and  transporting  into  Virginia  vast  quantities 
of  supplies,  no  signs  were  visible  of  the  Federals'  approach,  and  , 


GENERAL  LEE'S  ADDRESS.  469 

the  usual  greeting  among  us  was  the  stereotyped  expression 
used  by  McClellan  during  the  winter  months  of  '61  and  the 
early  part  of  62,  namely:  "All  quiet  on  the  Upper  Potomac 
to-night!" 

Our  various  departments  were  extremely  busy,  and  from 
their  energy  and  industry  were  evidently  making  the  most  of 
their  time.  New  wagons  and  teams  were  being  bought  in  all 
directions ;  our  cavalry  had  been  scouring  the  whole  country 
far  and  wide  to  our  rear,  having  penetrated  to  Chambersburgh 
and  other  towns  of  Pennsylvania ;  and  as  they  sent  to  our  lines 
all  that  they  purchased  or  appropriated,  vast  quantities  of  all 
things  were  being  transported  to  the  river  and  sent  across  into 
Virginia.  In  fact,  wagon-trains  were  unceasingly  moving,  with 
captured  or  purchased  supplies,  from  the  first  moment  we  put* 
foot  on  Maryland  soil. 

General  Lee  had  issued  a  stirring  Address  to  the  Maryland- 
ers,  and  it  was  hoped  that  it  might  have  some  effect  upon  the 
sluggish  population  of  that  State,  who  sighed  over  their  wrongs, 
but  sat  and  apathetically  gazed  while  others  achieved  her  inde- 
pendence. Few  responded  to  the  call  —  all  were  calculating 
chances  dimly  foreshadowed  in  their  future ;  and  it  may  be  that 
thousands  in  distant  parts  of  the  State,  and  particularly  in  Bal- 
timore, would  have  willingly  rushed  to  meet  us,  but  the  Fede- 
ral system  of  espionage  was  so  scientifically  arranged  that  a  cat 
could  not  mew  in  Baltimore  without  the  fact  being  instantly  re- 
corded in  full  at  the  provost-marshal's  office. 

From  reports  daily  reaching  us,  previous  rumors  were  con- 
firmed, that  Pope,  having  resigned,  had  been  sent  to  quell  In- 
dian uprisings'  in  Minnesota  Territory,  and  that  McClellan  was 
once  again  in  power.  It  was  also  known  that  heavy  forces  from 
all  parts  of  the  States  were  rapidly  arriving  at  Washington ; 
and  that  his  army,  thus  hurriedly  formed  from  the  remnants  of 
every  command  in  the  service,  far  outnumbered  ours,  and  indi- 
cations were  given  that  an  onward  movement  would  socj}  com- 
mence. Our  generals  had  important  work  to  accomplish,  how- 
ever, before  McClellan  could  possibly  arrive ;  hence  it  did  not 
at  all  surprise  us  to  learn  that  Jackson,  as  usual,  was  about  to 
take  the  initiative.*  On  the  tenth,  reports  came  in  that  the 

^  y      *^ Jackson  was  the  observed  of  all  observers  during  our  stay  in  Maryland^nd 
hundreds  travelled  many  score,  miles  to  see  the  great  original  "  Stonewall,"  agaiust 


A  r-  *Ji   »!*+«    i4.4*r-r**'tfr      Lp 


470  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

Federal  cavalry  advance-guard  had  already  reached  the  Mono- 
cacy  river,  a  few  miles  fronting  our  line  above  and  below  Fred- 
ericksburgh,  and  that  heavy  skirmishing  had  occurred  there. 
This  was  positive  proof  that  McClellan  was  advancing,  and  far 
more  rapidly  than  we  had  expected. 

On  the  eleventh,  our  line  from  Frederick  to  the  Potomac  was 
suddenly  broken  up,  and  Jackson's  corps  proceeded  very  rapid- 
ly towards  Hagerstown^  as  if  intending  to  penetrate  into  Penn- 
sylvania. Ambrose  Hill  moved  his  division  towards  Jefferson, 
as  if  going  in  the  direction  of  Harper's  Ferry.  The  whole 
army,  indeed,  was  leaving  the  open  country,  and  taking  up  po- 
sitions on  the  west  side  of  the  South  Mountain,  which,  extend- 
ing in  a  long  chain,  presented  a  natural  barrier  to  McClellan's 
further  advance.  Up  to  the  present  time,  he  had  enjoyed  the 
advantage  of  but  one  good  road  from  Washington  to  Frederick, 
and  beyond  the  latter  place,  if  he  should  be  tempted  to  push  on 
so  far,  he  would  find  none  but  the  ordinary  dirt  roads.  Nay, 
worse  than  this :  should  he  attempt  to  pursue  our  supposed  re- 
treating army,  he  must  of  necessity  pass  the  mountain  chain 
through  several  gaps — one  being  at  Boonesborough ;  one  south- 
ward»of  th'e  latter  place,  called  Turner's  Gap,  on  the  Middleton 
road;  another,  more  southwardly  still,  called  Crampton's  Gap, 
on  the  Burkittsville  road;  and  one  near  the  Potomac,, on  the 
direct  route  from  Petersville  to  Harper's  Ferry.  To  delay 
McClellan's  movements  through  these  mountain  passes,  D.  H. 
Hill  had  thrown  his  own  division  and  a  few  other  troops  into 
these  gaps;  Hood,  with  his  brave  Texans  and  others,  held 
Boonesborough ;  Hill  himself  was  at  Turner's  Gap,  on  the  Fed- 
eral main  line  of  advance ;  and  the  other  generals  at  the  points 
lower  down  towards  the  river.  All  these  passes'  had  been  forti- 

which  Federal  generals  had  so  often  broken  their  heads.  Crowds  were  continually 
hanging  round  his  head-quarters,  and  peeping  through  the  windows,  as  if  anxious  to 
catch  him  at  his  "  incantations,"  for  many  believed  he  was  in  league  with  the  Old 
Boy  ands  had  constant  intercourse  with  him.  Others,  again,  actually  thought  that 
he  was  continually  praying,  and  imagined  that  angelic  spirits  were  his  companions 
and  counsellors ;  and  it  was  not  until  the  great  man  had  mounted  his  old  horse,  and 
frequently  aired  himself  in  the  streets,  that  many  began  to  think  him  less  than  su- 
pernatural. His  shabby  attire  and  unpretending  deportment  quite  disappointed  the 
many  who  expected  to  see  a  great  display  of  gold  lace  and  feathers ;  and  when  he 
ordered  his  guards  to  clear  his  quarters  of  idle  crowds,  many  went  away  muttering: 
"  Oh !  he's  no  great  shakes  after  all !" 


THE  FEDERALS  AT  FREDERICK.  471 

fied  by  Hill,  who  on  the  twelfth  had  all  things  in  readiness  to 
fiercely  dispute  all  attempts  at  assault.  It  was  not  expected  that 
he  could  hold  the  vast  numbers  of  the  enemy  at  bay  for  an  in- 
definite time ;  but  all  who  knew  LX  II.  Hill  and  Ilood  were  con- 
scious that  the  enemy  would  have  hot  work  before  dislodging 
them,  and  must  lose  much  time  in  doing  so.  This,  in  fact,  was 
all  that  Lee  originally  intended,  as  the  events  that  now  rapidly 
succeeded  each  other  fully  demonstrated. 

Eeports  having  reached  him  on  the  eleventh,  while  on  the 
banks  of  the  Monocacy,  that  Miles  and  White  were  strongly 
fortified  at  Harper's  Ferry,  and  that  the  Confederates  had  made 
no  demonstrations  in  that  direction,  McClellan  imagined  that 
those  generals  were  able  to  withstand  a  siege  of  many  weeks,  if 
so  compelled,  and  that  little  danger  was  to  be  apprehended  from4 
any  rebel  diversion  in  that  direction.  The  strong  positions  oc- 
cupied by  D.  H.  Hill  in  the  South  Mountain  passes  appeared  so 
formidable,  and  the  small  force  was  so  well  and  so  ostentatious- 
ly displayed,  that  McClellan  imagined  the  mountain  barrier  to 
be  garrisoned  and  supported  by  the  whole  Confederate  army,  so 
that  much  valuable  time  was  consumed  by  him  in  preparing  to 
dislodge  it.  From  the  eleventh  to  the  thirteenth,  little  or  noth- 
ing was  attempted  by  him,  save  frequent  reconnoissances1;  and 
although  the  roads  from  the  Monocacy  to  Frederick*  and  the 

*  Some  very  amusing  scenes  occurred  in  Frederick  during  our  retreat  from  that 
place.  On  the  morning  of  the  twelfth  Ijpw  troops  were  there  save  two  or  three 
squadrons  of  Stuart's  cavalry.  Burnside's  forces  were  rapidly  advancing  upon  the 
town,  and  his  cavalry  were  not  more  than  two  miles  distant.  Leave-takings  were 
going  on,  and  patriotic  young  Marylanders,  who  had  joined  our  army,  were  on  door- 
steps, talking  to  or  kissing  their  sweethearts,  desirous  of  remaining  until  the  last 
moment.  A  great  noise  and  much  dust  visible  at  the  east  end  of  the  town  told  of 
the  Federal  advance,  and  all  our  young  love-sick  soldiers  immediately  mounted  and 
left  the  place.  Within  a  few  moments,  up  rode  a  few  squadrons  of  Federal  cavalry, 
commanded  by  a  Dutch  major  with  immense  moustache.  Halting,  before  the  city 
hall,  with  a  great  fuss  and  show,  he  exclaimed:  "Vere  ish  de  Got  tarn  repels? 
Vere  ish  de  Got  fur  tarn  Stuart  —  vere  ish  he  mit  his  cavalrie?  Let  me  slice  him, 
unt  I  show  him  some  tings !"  A  lady  present  told  him  that  a  few  of  Fitz-Hugh 
Lee's  cavalry  had  just  left.  "  Goot !  young  voomans,"  said  Heinhcer,  ana  immedi- 
ately started  in  pursuit,  saying,  "Ve  show  de  repels  some  tings."  The  major  and 
his  command  had  fairly  got  into  the  main  street,  when  a  few  squadrons  of  Confede- 
rate cavalry  met  them,  and  both  parties  rushed  together  in  strife,  and,  within  a  few 
moments  afterwards,  the  Federals  retreated,  amid  the  hoots  and  groans  of  those  at 
the  windows.  The  Dutch  major  was,  shortly  afterwards,  pulled  out  of  a  cottage, 
and  with  a  table-cloth  wound  round  a  slight  wound  in  hia  head,  was  sent  to  our  rear. 


472  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

South  Mountain  were  open  to  him;  his  advance  was  slow  and 
tedious ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  Confederate  generals  were 
unusually  active,  and  preparing  to  capture  the  Ferry,  together 
with  the. garrison  and  its  numerous  supplies.  The  position  of 
D.  H.  Hill .  in  jfce  mountains  had  been  designed  for  no  other 
purpose  than  to  occupy  the  roads  and  delay  McClellan  until 
Miles  and  White  had  surrendered. 

While  the  shrewd  and  calculating  Hill  was  deceiving  Mc- 
Clellan's  advance,  Jackson  and  others  were  busily  availing 
themselves  of  the  precious  time  thus  gained  to  achieve  success 
at  the  Ferry.  Having  started  from  Frederick  on  the  eleventh, 
Jackson  rapidly  pushed  ahead  on  the  Hagerstown  road,  as  if 
intending  to  occupy  that  place,  but  immediately  branched  off 
to  the  left  towards  the  Potomac,  and  crossed  it  the  same  night 
at  Williamsport.  No  opposition  was  met  with,  and  the  column 
still  proceeded  onward^  our  cavalry  advance  having  a  few 
hours  before  handsomely  driven  Colonel  White  and  the  Federal 
cavalry  from  Martinsburgh,  where  many  useful  stores  were 
discovered  and  appropriated.  Still  moving  forward,  Jackson 
pursued  the  Shepherdstown  road,  and  arrived  within  sight  of 
Bolivar  on  the  afternoon  of  the  twelfth.  The  range  of  hills  in 
Bolivar  was  occupied  by  the  enemy,  and  extensive  earthworks 
had  been  dug  to  defend  them.  It  was  evident  at  a  glance  that 
while  the  enemy  held  the  formidable  positions  of  the  Maryland 
and  Loudon  Heights,  frowning  as  they  were  with  cannon,  and 
fully  commanding  the  Bolivar  Heights  and  the  whole  country 
for  many  miles  round,  that  any  attack  upon  Bolivar  and  its 
surroundings  would  be  mere  waste  of  life  and  powder.  So 
that  having  opened  a  furious  cannonade  on  the  latter  place  to 
attract  attention  and  detain  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  on 
the  Virginia  side  of  the  river,  Jackson  was  relying  upon  the 
attack  which  other  parts  of  our  force  was  hourly  expected  to 
make  from  the  rear  of  the  Maryland  Heights.  It  was  known 
that  nearly  every  gun  on  those  heights  pointed  up  the  Shenan- 
doah  Valley,  and  little  harm  was  expected  from  them  when 
taken  in  reverse. 

On  Friday,  simultaneously  with  Jackson's  appearance  before 
Bolivar,  west  of  the  Potomac,  a  large  infantry  force  of  ours 
made  its  appearance  at  Solomon's  Gap,  and  was  three  miles 
away  eastward  on  the  Heights,  gradually  approaching  the  high- 


MARYLAND  HEIGHTS.  473 

est  point  of  the  mountain-chain,  which  overlooks  Harper's 
Ferry  at  the  river.  A  close  inspection  of  the  ground  satisfied 
us  that  our  attack  in  that  direction  would  be  "  up-hill "  work ; 
the  top  of  the  heights  having  been  cleared  of  superfluous  tim- 
ber, it  was  seen  that  the  enemy  had  erected  barricades  of  wood, 
from  behind  which  light  artillery  could  play  upon  our  advance. 
The  position  was  truly  formidable,  and,  if  provisioned  and  gar- 
risoned properly,  was  capable  of  holding  out  for  any  length  of 
time. 

Towards  sunset,  our  men  had  gradually  worked  their  way 
within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's  main  position,  and 
skirmishing  became  exceedingly  brisk  and  lively.  During  the 
entire  afternoon,  we  could  plainly  hear  and  sometimes  see 
Jackson's  artillery  shelling  the  enemy  in  and  around  Bolivar ; 
and  when  darkness  came  on,  we  all  felt  certain  that  the  next 
day  would  find  us  masters  of  the  position,  from  which  we  could 
shell  the  enemy  out  from  the  Bolivar  Heights  across  the  river, 
and  thus  fully  invest  the  place. 

Next  morning  at  sunrise  we  opened  fire,  and  a  fierce  struggle 
of  infantry  commenced  for  the  possession  of  the  Maryland 
Heights,  while,  at  the  same  time.  Jackson  was  gradually  pushing 
the  enemy  in  all  directions  from  his  front.  Towards  noon,  after 
repeated  efforts,  and  in  the  face  of  artillery  which  had  been 
turned  on  us,  our  men  rushed  over  the  barricades  and  success- 
ively took  several  very  strong  positions,  from  which  determined 
men  should  not  have  been  so  easily  repulsed.  Making  one 
final  charge,  the  heights  were  cleared,  and  the  enemy  driven 
in  great  confusion  down  the  opposite  side.  Three  shells  thrown 
towards  Bolivar  Heights,  and  the  loud  yells  of  our  men,  tele- 
graphed our  success  to  Jackson,  who  now  attacked  the  enemy 
from  every  side.  His  advance,  the  smoke  of  which  was  seen 
about  one  mile  away  in  the  Valley-ikas  slow  and  all  "up-hill," 
yet  be  was  gradually  forcing  the  enemy  from  their  strong  po- 
sitions ;  but  was  unwilling  apparently  to  sacrifice  many  men  •  in 
the  accomplishment  of  his  purpose  by  an  assault  in  force,  rjghtly 
concluding  that  their  position  would  prove  untenable  after  our 
possession  of  the  Maryland  Heights. 

At  the  close  of  the  second  day's  operations,  Jackson  had 
Burned  the  enemy's  left  on  the  Bolivar  Heights;  our  troops 
were  in  full  possession  of  the  Maryland  Heights ;  and  all  were 


\ 
474  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

busily  engaged  in  placing  cannon  in  position  for  the  morrow's 
work.  The  whole  scene  below  us  was  animating.  The  long 
lines  of  Federal  brigades  on  the  hill-sides  and  in  the  valley  were 
all  turned  towards  Jackson  in  the  west ;  smoke  of  the  batteries 
cjirled  away  from  the  woods,  while  on  every  hand  we  could 
perceive  our  forces  taking  up  positions  from  which  a  perfect 
shower  of  shot  could  be  thrown  upon  the  gradually  contracting 
lines  of  the  enemy.  Troops  and  artillery  were  already  on  the 
Loudon  Heights  to  our  left,  batteries  swept  the  Charleston, 
Shepherdstownkand  Sandy  Hook  roads  ;  and  all  that  the  Fede- 
rals' did  was  to  protect  or  destroy  the  several  bridges  by  which 
our  forces  on  the  east  could  communicate  with  Jackson  on  the 
west  side  of  the  stream.  In  short,  the  enemy's  fate  was  sealed ; 
they  could  not  live  long  under  our  concentrated  fire  from  vari- 
ous directions,  and  they  must  soon  surrender.  Yet  they  were 
evidently  fighting  against  time,  and  seemed  determined  to  stand 
and  be  slaughtered  rather  than  capitulate ;  for  the  fact  was  pos- 
sibly known  to  them  as  to  us,  that  McClellan  was  not  twenty 
miles  distant,  with  an  overwhelming  force ;  and  should  D.  H. 
Hill  in  the  mountain-chain  give  way,  and  fail  to  hold  him  in 
check,  nothing  could  prevent  the  place  from  being  speedily  re- 
lieved. 

Next  morning,  all  was  silent,  and  the  'enemy  perhaps  im- 
agined that  circumstances  had  forced  us  to  abandon  the  siege. 
Great  activity  was-  observed  among  them,  as  we  could  plainly 
perceive  from  the  Maryland  and  Loudon  Heights,  thousands  of 
feet  above  the  scene.  Immediately  after  noon,  Jackson's  at- 
tack was  recommenced  with  great  fury ;  while,  to  add  to  the 
enemy's  dismay,  batteries  on  the  Loudon  and  Maryland 
Heights,  and  from  every  hill  in  our  possession,  were  pour- 
ing shot  and  shell  upon  their  masses  below,  so  that  they 
knew  not  where  to  look  9t  shelter,  and  were  moving  about 
in  all  directions.  The  people  in  Harper's  Ferry  itself  were 
running  to  and  fro  like  madmen,  vainly  endeavoring  to  es- 
cape the  shells  that  were  bursting  in  and  around  the  place. 
Officers  on  horseback  were  galloping  furiously  through  the 
streets ;  infantry  endeavored  to  screen  themselves  as  best  they 
could  behind  houses,  rocks,  earthworks,  and  the  like ;  while 
the  long  line  of  smoke  around  Bolivar  Heights  told  of  Jack;- 


EXCITEMENT  AT  HARPER'S  FERRY.  '475 

son's  steady  advance  upon  those  positions.  At  sunset,  the  Fed- 
erals were  pushed  into  the  valley,  and  seemed  huddled  together 
in  a  small  space  awaiting  slaughter.  Ilafl  daylight  lasted  a 
little  longer,  or  the  attack  commenced  sooner,  the  work  would 
have  ended  on  Sunday,  the  fourteenth. 

At  nightfall,  all  was  bustle  in  throwing  up  works  still  nearer 
the  enemy,  and  additional  guns  were  planted  in  all  directions, 
for.  it  was  evident  that  our  officers  were  pushed  for  time,  and 
seemed  determined  to  bring  matters  to  a  climax  early  on  the 
morrow.  When  morning  dawned,  the  bombardment  was  re- 
commenced, our  batteries  vomited  fire  and  smoke  from  every 
point  of  the  compass,  while  the  echo  of  so  many  pieces  among 
the  mountains  not  only  made  it  impossible  to  hear  ordinary 
sounds,  but  it  seemed  that  the  very  hills  trembled  to  their 
foundations.  At  length  white  flags  began  to  appear  at  various 
points  along  the  enemy's  lines,  and  the  firing  gradually  ceased. 
I  saw  a  party  of  horsemen  ride  towards  Jackson's  position  on 
Bolivar  Heights,  and,  after  some  short  time,  our  signal  corps 
telegraphed  that  the  enemy  had  unconditionally  surrendered. 

This  fact  was  soon  known  throughout  our  whole  force,  and 
loud,  long  yells  rent  the  sky ;  from  hill  and  plain  the  roar  of 
voices  could  be  heard  in  all  directions,  but  those  who  under- 
stood the  true  position  of  affairs  were  loth  to  cheer  or  give 
way  to  any  extravagant  demonstrations  of  joy ;  for  on  the  pre- 
vious day  many  of  us  had  heard  heavy  cannonading  going  on 
eastward,  and  couriers,  hot,  dusty,  and  jaded,  brought  word 
that  a  fierce  engagement  had  taken  place  at  the  several  passes 
in  the  South"  Mountains.  It  was  understood  that  D.  IT.  Hill 
had  been  particularly  pressed  at  Turner's  Gap,  and  was  forced 
to  relinquish  his  position  at  nightfall,  after  having  sustained 
severe  loss,  and  inflicted  much  punishment  upon  the  enemy. 
No  one  doubted  that  Hill  had  fought  heroically ;  but  from  the 
moment  that  Hooker  and  Reno's  corps  attacked  him  at  three 
P.M.  the  previous  day,  it  was  evident  he  was  greatly  outnum- 
bered, and  unable  to  extend  his  line  of  defence  over  many 
points  of  the  mountain,  which  commanded  and  overlooked 
the  'Gap.  Hood,  who  had  been  fighting  higher  up  the  mount- 
ain-chain, and  defending  the  pass  at  Boonesborough,  rapidly 
gathered  his  men  and  marched  to  Hill's  relief;  and  it  was 
doubtless  the  headlong,  reckless  valor  of  these  reenforcements 


476  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

which  saved  Hill  from  total  discomfiture.  The  loss  on  either 
side  at  Boonesborough,  Turner's  Gap,  and  Crampton  Gap — the 
latter  being  forced  toy  Franklin's  corps  on  the  same  day — was 
severe  for  the  time  all  were  engaged ;  and  if  twenty-five  hun- 
dred killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners  is  put  down  for  our  casual- 
ties, I  am  sure  it  will  not  more  than  cover  the  total.  Of  the 
enemy's  loss  we  had  no  positive  information,  but  as  they  were 
the  assailants,  it  was  possibly  much  greater.* 

Hill's' obstinate  defence  of  the  mountain-passes  had,  however, 
delayed  McClellan  from  marching  directly  to  the  relief  of  Har- 
per's Ferry ;  and  thus  gained  a  day's  time  for  Jackson,  who,  as 
we  have  seen,  was  on  the  eve  of  accomplishing  the  conquest  of 
Harper's  Ferry  on  the  fourteenth.  Yet  Jackson  was  in  a  criti- 
cal position ;  he  was  fully  aware  that  McClellan  was  now  west 
of  the  South  Mountains,  and  pushing  after  Longstreet  and 
Hill  in  the  direction  of  Sharpsburgh.  Time  was  more  precious 
then  than  ever ;  hence  it  was  that  Jackson  opened  his  bombard- 
ment on  the  fifteenth  so  early  in  the  morning.  Our  various 
army  corps  and  divisions  were  very  much  scattered,  and  as  the 
enemy  were  rapidly  following  Lee,  the  greatest  expedition  was 
necessary  to .  form  a  junction  with  him  before  any  heavy  en- 
gagement could  take  place. 

When  Miles,  therefore,  after  a  council  of  war,  had  run  up 
white  flagsf  in  different  parts  of  his  lines,  and  the  capitula- 

*  Brigadier-General  Garland  was  the  only  officer  of  note  among  the  Confederates 
who  fell  at  South  Mountain.  McClellan  admitted  the  Federal  loss  to  be  some  twenty- 
five  hundred  killed  and  wounded.  -Major-General  Reno  was  killed  there  just  as 
the  action  closed. 

•j-  The  moment  white  flags  were  raised  in  token  of  surrender,  General  Miles  was 
struck  by  a  cannon-shot,  and  his  thigh  was  torn  away.  "  0  my  God  !  I  am  kill- 
ed !"  he  exclaimed,  and  fell  from  his  horse.  His  death  was  purely  accidental ;  for 
the  smoke  of  batteries  and  the  haze  of  morning  prevented  our  gunners  from  de- 
tecting truce-flags  then  flying.  Among  the  twelve  thousand  troops  and  over  three 
hundred  commissioned  officers  captured,  I  noticed  many  of  the  following  regi- 
ments, namely :  Eighty-seventh,  Thirty-second,  Third,  and  Sixtieth  Ohio  Infantry ;  the 
Twelfth,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth,  One  Hundred  and  Eleventh,  Thirty-ninth, 
One  Hundred  and  Fifteenth,  and  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fifth  New- York  Infantry ; 
First  and  Third  Maryland  Home  Brigade,  (infantry ;)  Sixty-fifth  Illinois,  Ninth  Ver- 
mont, Fifteenth  Indiana.  Several  New- York,  Ohio,  and  Indiana  batteries  were  at- 
tached to  these  various  regiments.  Of  artillery,  over  fifty  pieces  fell  into  our 
hands,  and,  among  them,  twelve  three-inch-  rifled  guns ;  six  of  James's  steel  guns, 
rifled ;  six  twenty-four-pound  howitzers ;  four  twenty-pound  Parrott  guns,  rifled ;  sir 
twelve-pound  guns,  ruled ;  four  twelve-pound  howitzers ;  two  ten-Inch  Dahlgren 


SURRENDER  OF  THE  FEDERALS.          477 

tion  was  officially  announced,  the  enemy  were  ordered  to  march 
into  the  village  of  Bolivar  and  stack  arms,  which  they  did  with 
much  apparent  reluctance.  There  were  no  signs  of  insubordina- 
tion or  mutiny  —  all  passed  off  very  quietly  and  orderly  ;  and 
as  they  filed  past  in  fours,  and  took  up  the  line  of  march  east- 
ward towards  the  Ferry,  to  commence  their  journey  to  Wash- 
ington, many  began  to  laugh  and  smoke  good-humoredly,  jocu- 
larly observing  that  they  "  hoped  it  would  be  a  long  time  ere 
their  parole  would  be  broken  by  any  exchange."  The  sudden 
change  in  the  position  of  affairs  within  so  few  hours  made  us 
languid  and  sleepy ;  where  all  had  been  life  and  bustle,  noise 
and  carnage,  but  three  hours  before,  was  now  all  quietness  and 
peace.*  The  enemy  were  busy  in  packing  knapsacks  and  hav- 
ersacks ;  regiments  marching  by  with  arms,  returned  in  a  few 
moments  without  them ;  wagons  of  every  description,  cannon 
of  every  calibre,  officers  of  every  grade,  and  troops  from  every 
State,  were  passing  and  repassing  towards  our  headquarters, 
and  within  a  few  hours  all  had  filed  past  on  parole.  Then, 
many  of  our  troops  began  to  move  up  the  Potomac  towards 
"Williamsport  to  join  Lee,  and  participate  in  the  great  engage- 
ment which  was  expected  to  take  place  between  the  two 
armies. 

guns ;  one  fifty-pound  Parrott  gun,  rifled  ;  six  six-pound  guns,  rifled ;  and  several 
of  "  Fremont's "  guns,  namely,  mountain  howitzers.  Most  of  these  guns  were  of 
superb  manufacture.  In  addition  to  these  were  several  captured  on  the  Maryland 
Heights,  namely :  two  one  hundred  and  twenty-six-pound  rifled  guns ;  one  ninety- 
six-pound  rifled  gun;  and  four  brass  Napoleons,  rifled.  The  commissariat  was 
found  to  have  more  than  sufficient  rations  for  two  weeks  for  fourteen  thousand 
men,  besides  large  quantities  of  forage,  hay,  straw,  corn,  meal,  etc.  Their  wagon- 
train  consisted  of  over  two  hundred  wagons,  with  excellent  teams  and  harness. 
The  number  of  arms  taken  was  over  twelve  thousand,  with  complete  equipments 
for  twice  that  number  of  men.  Of  ammunition,  medicine,  nnd  general  stores,  we 
secured  large  quantities.  Several  regimental  flags  were  discovered  among  our 
spoils ;  but  the  enemy  made  away  with  many,  to  prevent  them  falling  into  our 
hands.  The  casualties  on  our  part  were  not  numerous ;  the  enemy  suffered  con- 
siderably from  our  concentrated  fire. 

*  An  unfortunate  Yankee  letter-writer,  who  was  among  the  prisoners,  saw  Jack- 
son for  a  moment,  and  thus  describes  him  :  "  Old  Stonewall,  after  riding  along  the 
river-bank,  returned  to  Bolivar  Heights,  the  observed  of  all  observers.  He  was 
dressed  in  the  coarsest  kind  of  homespun,  seedy  and  dirty  at  that ;  wore  an  old  hat 
which  any  Northern  beggar  would  consider  an  insult  to  have  offered  him  ;  and  in 
his  general  appearance  was  in  no  respect  to  be  distinguished  from  the  mongrel 
bare-footed  crew  who  followed  his  fortunes.  I  had  heard  much  of  the  decayed 
appearance  of  the  rebel  soldiers,  but  such  a  looking  crowd !  Ireland  in  her  worst 
straits  could  present  no  parallel ;  and  yet  they  glory  in  their  shame !" 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 

McClellan's  unaccountable  Inaction — Activity  of  Lee  and  Jackson — Engagements 
at  the  South  Mountain — Approach  of  the  Federals  to  Sharpsburgh — Battle  of 
Antietam,  or  Sharpsburgh,  September  seventeenth — An  Indecisive  Engagement — 
Retreat  of  the  Southern  Army  into  Virginia — Jackson  guards  the  Rear,  and  Re- 
pulse of  the  enemy's  Advance-Guard,  etc. 

FROM  a  general  review  of  our  operations  between  the  time 
of  Jackson's  departure  from  Frederick  on  the  eleventh  and  the 
surrender  of  Harper's  Ferry  on  the  fifteenth,  and  from  an  esti- 
mate of  the  forces  and  the  distancenof  the  two  armies  operating 
within  so  few  miles  of  each  other  during  that  time,  McClellan's 
tardiness  of  action,  in  the  face  of  Jackson's  small  force  and  ac- 
tivity, seemed  to  me  inexplicable.  The  advance  posts  of  the 
Federal  cavalry  exchanged  shots  with  ours  on  the  banks  of  the 
Monocacy  on  the  eleventh,  and  at  that  time  the  true  state  of 
affairs  must  have  been  known  to  Federal  commanders,  for 
Union  sympathizers  were  numerous,  and  many  escaped  through 
our  lines  who  could  have  given  every  information.  On  the 
twelfth,  when  Jackson  had  crossed  into  Virginia,  and  appeared 
before  th#  enemy,  strongly  posted  on  the  Bolivar  Heights, 
numerous  cavalry  men  had  left  Miles's  command,  who,  doubt- 
less, did  fully  inform  McClellan  of  the  contemplated  investment 
of  Harper's  Ferry.  Under  these  circumstances,  his  divergence 
from  the  true  route  to  the  Ferry  by  Petersville  and  Crampton's 
Gap,  to  attack  Hill  in  the  strong  positions  of  Boonesborough 
and  Turner's  Gap,  was  unaccountable,  unless,  indeed,  he  was 
misled  by  fabulous  rumors  regarding  our  strength  and  resources 
at  the  former  place. 

Had  McClellan  acted  with  energy,  and  taken  the  river  road 
to  Harper's  Ferry,  there  was  nothing  to  prevent  him  from  rais- 
ing the  siege ;  and  by  passing  over  into  Virginia,  he  would 
have  completely  cut  off  our  retreat  by  the  several  fords  above. 
It  is  true  that  such  a  movement  would  have  left  Maryland  un- 


POSITION  OF  THE  CONFEDERATES.  479 

protected,  and  Lee  might  have  marched  on  to  Washington 
without  serious  resistance,  and  this  may  be  the  true  reason  for 
McClellan's  movements.  He  could  have  had  no  doubt  that 
Lee  would  have  willingly  availed  himself  of  such  a  chance, 
and,  having  a  shorter  route  to  'travel,  he  might  have  out- 
marched, him,  and  taken  "Washington,  perhaps,  ere  the  Federal 
commander  could  have  traversed  the  south  bank,  and  arrived 
at  the  Chain,  or  Long  Bridges,  to  cross  over  and  oppose  him. 
Nevertheless,  when  he  heard  of  the  investment  on  the  twelfth, 
he  might  certainly  have  relieved  the  place  from  the  Maryland 
side,  at  least ;  or,  by  suddenly  and  rapidly  marching  on  Lee 
and  Longstreet,  have  forced  an  engagement,  and  possibly  de- 
feated both  those  generals  before  Jackson,  Ambrose  Hill, 
and  McLaws  could  have  reenforced  them.  The  truth  is, 
McClellan  was  too  slow  and  cautious — he  was  not  equal  to  the 
occasion ;  and  while  revolving  the  chances  before  him,  Miles 
surrendered,  and  part  of  our  force  had  crossed  into  Maryland 
again,  and  was  quietly  waiting  in  Lee's  lines  for  the  Federal 
advance. 

When  Lee  was  made  aware  of  D.  IE.  Hill's  retreat  from  the 
various  gaps  in  the  South  Mountain,  and  that  McClellan's  army 
was  pouring  through  them,  he  became  fully  convinced  that  the 
Federal  commanders  were  determined  to  provoke  a  general  en- 
gagement before  Jackson  and  others  could  come  to  his  relief. 
On  the  evening  of  the  fifteenth,  therefore,  when  fully  assured 
of  the  fall  of  Harper's  Ferry,  he  withdrew  his  forses  (fifty 
thousand  strong)  towards  Sharpsburgh,  and  crossing  Antietam 
Eiver,  arranged  his  line  of  battle  on  the  west  bank,  and  seemed 
determined  to  hold  the  position  until  the  arrival  of  his  whole 
force.  On  that  same  day,  McClellan's  army,  some  ninety-five 
thousand  strong,  with  three  hundred  pieces  of  artillery,  were 
at  Reedysville,  but  a  few  miles  east  of  the  river,  and  was  re- 
ported to  be  slowly  approaching. 

The  Antietam  Eiver  strikes  the  Potomac  almost  at  right 
angles,  and  is  spanned  by  three  bridges ;  the  centre  one  being 
on  the  ^direct  road  to  Slmrpsburgh,  not  more  than  three  quar- 
ters of  a  mile  beyond ;  the  second  was  about  two  miles  lower 
down,  and  commanded  a  road  which  swept  towards  the  Poto- 
mac ;  and  the  third  was  at  least  two  miles  above  the  central  one, 
and  conducted  a  road  which  led  direct  to  Hagerstown.  Be- 


480  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

yond  this  upper  bridge  the  stream  is  fordable  in  many  places. 
The  river  runs  through  a  small  valley,  and  parallel  with  it  the 
land  gradually  rises,  but  on  the  west  bank  is  far  more  hilly  and 
broken  than  on  the  east ;  while  at  the  Bridge  leading  direct  to 
Sharpsburgh,  and  at  the  lower  one,  all  approach  is  commanded 
by  bluffs  or  hillocks,  so  that  a  defending  force  could  be  well 
screened  behind  them,  and  any  troops  attacking  be  exposed  to 
great  loss  in  attempting  to  force  a  passage.  At  the  upper  parts 
of  our  line,  which  was  formed  on  or  behind  this  series  of  undu- 
lations, the  stream  stretched  away  to  the  east,  so  that  an  enemy 
could  easily  ford  the  river  above  us,  and  operate  on  our  left 
flank. 

Our  forces  were  so  disposed  as  to  command  all  approach  to 
the  bridges  over  the  Antietam;  Longstreet  commanding  the 
right,  Lee  the  centre,  and  D.  H.  Hill  the  left ;  but  our  line  ap- 
peared so  weak,  scattered  as  it  was  over  more  than  four  miles, 
that  it  seemed  almost  impossible  it  could  withstand  a  numerous 
enemy  energetically  assailing  it.  On  the  fifteenth,  our  cavalry 
were  busy  annoying  the  enemy's  advance,  and  conducting  long 
trains  within  the  lines,  which  were  immediately  sent  forward 
into  Virginia.  Meanwhile  the  long  lin$  of  dust  rising  over  the 
landscape  in  various  directions,  and  the  appearance  of  white 
canvas-covered  wagons  slowly  moving  over  the  light  green 
fields,  or  disappearing  in,  and  emerging  from,  the  woods,  gave 
every  evidence  that  an  immense  force  was  cautiously  approach- 
ing to  the  attack.  Our  main  army  was  in  perplexed  thought 
regarding  Jackson's  movements,  and  felt  extremely  anxious  for 
his  speedy  junction.  Strong  picket-guards  were  thrown  out; 
light  artillery,  with  heavy  infantry  supports,  were  within  short 
distance  of  the  bridges ;  and  active  squads  of  cavalry  were  con- 
tinually moving  from  point  to  point  along  our  whole  front. 

On  the  sixteenth,  when  the  mists  of  morning  had  risen  from 
the  landscape,  the  smoke  of  camp-fires  extending  east  of  the 
river  told  us  that  the  enemy  'had  placed  their  troops  in  posi- 
tion parallel  to  ours ;  but,  from  the  quantity  of  smoke  ascend- 
ing, we  judged  that  their  centre  and  right  centre  W9re  much 
more  heavily  guarded  than  any  other  portion  of  their  lines. 
Severe  skirmishing  took  place  with  bodies  of  troops  along  both 
banks  of  the  river,  and,  as  would  appear,  with  some  effect  on 
our  side,  for  the  enemy  seemed  to  desist,  and  never  endeavored 


ADVANCE  OF   THE    FEDERALS.  481 

to  make  any  decided  advance  in  their  centre  or  left.  It  would 
appear  that  McClellan  was  as  totally  unaware  of  our  position 
as  of  our  strength,  for  he  instantly  opened  a  furious  cannonade 
along  our  whole  front,  and  on  his  left  (commanded  by  Bum- 
side)  the  storm  of  shot  and  shell  was  so  fierce  and  incessant 
that  numerous  missiles  passed  harmlessly  over  our  heads,  and 
fell  within  the  village  or  town  of  Sharpsburgh,  causing  much 
destruction  of  property.  Perhaps  it  was  the  desire  of  Mc- 
Clellan  to  ascertain  our  force  and  true  position,  but  in  this  he 
was  grievously  deceived,  for,  except  a  few  field-batteries  which 
here  and  there  replied  to  his  vindictive  cannonade,  no  display 
of  force  was  made  on  our  side.  We  bided  our  time  patiently, 
feeling  assured  that  Lee  had  successfully  deceived  them  as  to 
our  position  and  force,  and  that  their  main  attack  would  be 
delayed  until  the  arrival  of  Jackson  and  others  should  reen- 
force  and  equalize  the  strength  of  our  lines. 

Soon  after  noon,  while  the  rival  batteries  were  contending  at 
the  centre  and  lower  bridges,  and  other  parts  of  the  line,  the 
appearance  of  heavy  forces  approaching  to  and  threatening  our 
left,  gave  positive  assurance  that  the  enemy  were  about  to 
commence  operations  by  out-flanking  and  attacking  us  in  the 
weakest  part  of  our  position.  Hood  and  other  stubborn  leaders 
held  this  ground,  and  the  fight  soon  became  animated  and 
determined.  The  enemy,  in  strong  force,  had  appeared  at  the 
upper  bridge  and  fords  above  about  three  o'clock  P.M.,  and 
forced  a  passage ;  but,  although  our  defence  of  those  positions, 
from  paucity  of  forces,  was  somewhat  feeble,  the  Federals  suf- 
fered extremely  ere  gaming  a  positive  footing  west  of  the 
stream.  As  their  advance  for  the  most  part  was  through  open 
fields,  and  over  very  gently-rising  grounds,  the  sweep  of  oifr 
artillery,  and  accurate  aim  of  the  best  sharpshooters  in  the 
world,  (Texans,)  told  with  disastrous  effect  upon  their  heavy 
columns.  Confusion  was  frequent  among  their  ranks,  and  it 
required  the  utmost  efforts  of  the  officers,  aided  by  their  per- 
sonal example,  to  induce  the  troops  to  keep  ranks  and  advance 
upon  us.  Field-officers  rode  to  the  front  with  a  great  show  of 
gallantry ;  buf  it  was  not  until  fully  satisfied  of  our  weakness 
that  they  moved  forward  with  any  spirit  of  determination. 

To  us  it  was  matter  of  surprise  that  the  few  troops  protect- 
ing our  left  should  have  made  such  a  determined  resistance, 
31 


482  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

and  have  held  so  long  the  large  forces  of  the  enemy  in  check. 
Nor  did  the  news  of  their  withdrawal  from  the  disputed  posi- 
tion cause  any  annoyance,  for  we  were  well  aware  that  the 
gently-rising  ground  extending  to  the  dense  woods  beyond  was 
still  held  by  them,  and  that  it  commanded  all  approach  in  that 
direction.  The  enemy,  indeed,  seemed  well  contented  to  re- 
main in  the  captured  belt  of  timber,  and  did  not  dare  to  occupy 
the  open  grounds  and  fields  of  still  standing  corn  which  inter- 
vened between  their  own  position  and  ours.  Yet,  from  the 
multitude  of  fresh  troops  pouring  upon  the  scene,  and  taking 
up  positions  to  our  front  and  left,  it  was  immediately  perceived 
that  their  real  object  was  to  turn  it,  and  threaten  our  retreat  to 
the  Potomac.  Their  numbers  were  so  great  that  many  of  us 
felt  uneasy  for  the  morrow,  and  their  pickets  in  many  places 
were  uncomfortably  near  to  ours.  How  long  Jackson  would 
be  absent  none  could  conjecture,  and  great  uneasiness  was  man- 
ifested by  many  high  in  command. 

It  is  possible,  however,  that  the  enemy's  early  discovery  of 
our  weakness  on  the  left  saved  us  from  disaster,  for  they  in- 
stantly began  to  mass  most  of  their  troops  in  that  direction, 
thus  forewarning  Lee  where  to  send  all  available  reenforce- 
ments  that  might  arrive  during  the  night  or  on  the  morrow. 
No  demonstration  of  a  serious  character  had  been  made  on  our 
centre  or  right  during  the  day,  and  it  was  reasonable  to  sup- 
pose that  the  heavy  concentration  of  troops  against  our  left 
was  more  than  a  feint;  for,  should  the  impending  action  be 
severely  pressed  on  the  next  day,  the  distance  was  too  great 
for  these  masses  to  be  countermarched  against  any  other  parts 
of  our  line.  Our  outposts  were  unusually  vigilant  and  active 
during  night,  and  kept  head-quarters  fully  informed  of  all 
that  transpired.  The  enemy  had  gained  ground  in  no  direc- 
tion save  the  left,  and  our  new  position  there  was  considered 
preferable  to  the  first,  from  which  we  had  been  driven  during 
the  afternoon,  for  the  corn-fields  were  excellent  shelter,  the 
fences  good  concealment  and  protection  against  infantry,  while 
to  the  rear  of  these  the  ground  gradually  rose  l£>  thick  woods, 
in  which  were  planted  several  excellent  batteries. 

While  seated  round  camp-fires,  and  chatting  during  the 
silence  of  night,  faint  sounds  of  cheering  in  our  rear,  the  grad- 
ualty  increasing  noise  caused  by  the  arrival  of  mounted  men, 


MORNING  OF  THE  BATTLE.  483 

the  sounds  of  artillery  bugles,  and  the  perceptible  tramp  of 
heavy  colums,  gave  pleasing  indications  of  the  approach  of 
reenforcements.  The  arrival  of  couriers  and  the  jingle  of  artil- 
lery soon  dispelled  any  doubt  that  existed  about  the  character 
of  the  new  arrivals ;  it  was  the  victorious  Jackson  advancing 
from  Harper's  Ferry,  and  his  columns  came  in  with  such  order, 
and  made  such  a  rustle  among  the  deep  deposit  of  leaves,  that 
it  seemed  to  doubly  magnify  their  numbers  and  strength.  They 
swiftly  passed  through  the  woods  and  took  position  on  the  left 
which  movement  occasioned  many  changes,  so  that  regiments 
and  batteries  were  continually  passing  to  and  fro.  Faint  cheer- 
ing was  occasionally  heard  within  the  enemy's  lines  during  the 
night,  and  the  shouts  of  the  drivers  proved  that  their  artillery 
was  in  motion.  On  our  right  and  centre,  all  was  remarkably 
quiet;  but  on  our  left  frequent  picket- firing  aroused  the  ad- 
vanced posts,  for  the  sentinels  of  both  armies  were  extremely 
close,  and  ours,  concealed  in  fields  of  standing  corn,  occupied 
all  our  front  down  to  the  fence,  where  a  small  space,  of  open 
fields  intervened  between  our  position  and  that  of  the  Federal 
army. 

As  morning  approached,  many  of  our  men  sallied  forth  be- 
yond the  standing  corn,  to  despoil  the  Federal  dead ;  and  this 
being  perceived,  brought  out  the  enemy's  pickets,  who  opened 
a  brisk  and  lively  fire.  It  must  be  confessed  the  audacity  of 
our  men  in  this  proceeding  was  beyond  all  precedent ;  for,  in 
the  woods  immediately  beyond,  the  enemy  were  in  imposing 
force,  and  certainly  flushed  with  their  success  of  the  previous 

evening. 

A  constant  picket-firing  on  our  left  gave  warning  that  the 
actioft  would  soon  open,  our  troops  rose  long  before  day,  and 
the  most  provident  cooked  themselves  breakfast,  and,  smoking 
their  pipes,  sat  in  groups,  chatting  sociably,  not  knowing  at 
what  moment  all  would  be  summoned  to  "  fall  in."  Soon  sim- 
ple picket-firing  was  succeeded  by  the  roar  of  musketry ;  whole 
volleys  occasionally  broke  upon  the  ear  at  different  points  of 
the  line,  which,  together  with  the  occasional  roar  of  howitzers 
and  rifled  pieces,  was  more  than  enough  to  rouse  the  entire 
army.  Commanders  were  busily  engaged,  and  rode  from  place 
to  place,  with  a  business-like  air;  no  hurry  or  confusion  was 


484  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE  SOUTH. 

visible ;  all  seemed  to  look  upon  the  matter  with  indifference 
and  cheerfulness.  Most  of  our  troops  had  smelt  powder  long 
before,  and  they  simply  said,  "Another  day's  work  is  before 
us,"  and  tightly  buckled  their  straps  and  belts,  as  if  bound  for 
a  march,  or  a  long  fatiguing  drill. 

Fighting  on  our  left  now  commenced  in  earnest ;  troops  which 
had  been  prowling  about  fields  fronting  the  standing  corn  were 
seen  to  hasten  their  movements,  and  on  .came  the  Yankee  line 
of  battle  in  good  order.  Observing  our  clouds  of  skirmishers 
rapidly  withdrawing  from  their  front,  and  disappearing  in  the 
corn-fields,  they  gave  loud  cheers,  and  thought  that  little  resist- 
ance would  be  offered  until  they  had  arrived  at  the  top  of  the 
hill,  or  had  found  shelter  in  the  woods.  Their  mistake  was  a 
grievous  one.  As  .the  Federal  line  of  battle  reached  the  fence, 
up  rose  our  men  from  their  concealment  among  the  corn,  and 
delivered  successive  volleys  right  in  the  faces  of  their  foes, 
who,  surprised  and  staggering  with  loss,  retreated  back  over  the 
open  ground,  and  were  cut  up  fearfully  by  our  batteries,  which 
now  opened  with  rapidity  from  our  rear.  So  accurate  was  the 
fire  that  whole  files  of  Federal  soldiers  lay  dead,  parallel  with 
the  fence. 

Hundreds  of  shell  from  the  enemy  now  dropped  in  all  di- 
rections, making  our  position  in  the  standing  corn  very  un- 
pleasant ;  and  although  we  disputed  their  advance  stubbornly, 
they  gradually  forced  us  back,  until  they  penetrated  into  the 
cornfields,  which  their  heavy  line  of  battle  bent  and  broke,  as 
they  came  sweeping  onward  with  loud  cheers.  Supposing  us 
to  be  beaten  at  this  point,  their  commander  lost  no  time,  but 
seemed  determined  to  push  forward  rapidly  and  smash  our  left 
wing.  As  brigade  after  brigade  rushed  gallantly  forward,  ithey 
were  subjected  to  a  continuous  and  galling  fire ;  but  no  token 
was  given  of  our  strength  in  the  dense  timber,  to  which  our 
men  now  fell  rapidly  back,  in  skirmishing  order.  When  the 
enemy  had  traversed  the  corn-fields,  and  reached  the  summit 
of  the  "  rise,"  the  ground  slightly  "  dipped  "  towards  the  fence 
and  road,  so'  that  our  commanders  in  the  woods  had  full  view 
of  the  Federal  force  as  it  advanced.  Every  fence  and  every 
tree  was  made  available  by  our  sharpshooters,  who  constantly 
poured  into  their  heavy  masses  a  galling  fire.  Still  onwards 


SLAUGHTER  IN  THE  WOODS.  485 

they  came  impetuously,  and,  from  their  hurried  movements, 
were  apparently  breathless  Down  went  every  fence  in  their 
path,  as  they  rapidly  crossed  the  road  towards  the  woods,  and 
lustily  they  cheered,  as  the  last  of  our  skirmishers  disappeared 
from  their  front,  and  were  lost  in  the  dark,  thick  timber. 

All  was  silence  within  our  lines ;  regiments  were  lying  flat 
on  their  faces  with  rifles  cocked,  and  cautiously  peered  at  the 
enemy  as  they  came  rushing  into  the  woods  in  great  masses, 
and  with  much  noise.  Suddenly,  up  rose  Jackson's  line  of  bat- 
tle, the  enemy  halted,  a  momeilt  of  awful  silence  ensued,  no 
man  stirred,  and  then  deafening,  quick,  accurate,  and  numerous 
volleys  broke  from  our  lines.  The  enemy  were  too  thick  to  be 
missed;  and,  amid  frightful  loss  and  confusion,  they  broke  and 
rushed  forth  from  the  woods,  trembling  like  beings  who  had 
seen  some  dreadful  apparition. 

Soon  as  these  fugitive  masses  had  gained  open  ground,  our 
batteries  in  rapid  succession  broke  loose,  belching  forth  grape 
and  canister  in  such  profusion  that  the  infernal  storm  could  be 
heard  raining  upon  them  with  a  hissing  noise,  and  it  literally 
ploughed  furrows  in  the  dark,  confused  masses,  so  that  daylight 
could  be  seen  through  them  at  every  discharge.  Round  shot 
bounded  and  bounced,  and  shells,  after  whizzing  over  head 
dropped  with  loud  explosions  in  the  dark  groups  rushing 
through  the  corn-fields  and  dotting  the  landscape.  The  car- 
nage was  frightful.  Through  these  fields  the  enemy  (exulting 
in  their  success  of  the  previous  day)  had  come  cheering  in 
dense  lines  but  a  few  moments  before ;  they  had  swept  from 
their  Tront  every  man  opposed  to  them,  and  had  entered  the 
woods  with  deafening  shouts.  They  had  not  been  lost  to  view 
many  minutes'ere  they  rushed  back  in  confused,  bleeding,  stag- 
gering masses  of  human  beings,  without  order,  without  officers, 
pursued  by  our  lines  of  battle ;  rapidly  our  brave  fellows  push- 
ed over  the  well-fought  fields,  and,  amid  showers  of  shell,  kept 
close  to  the  fleeing  foe,  and  incessantly  poured  into  their (  shat- 
tered ranks  murderous  volleys,  which  whistled  through  the 
corn,  and  peopled  every  acre  with  scores  of  dead 

Field  officers  of  the  enemy  gallantly  rode  to  the  front,  and 
endeavored  to  rally  their  brigades.  Reenforcements  were  seen 
approaching  to  their  relief  through  open  fields  beyond ;  but  on- 


486  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

• 

ward  pressed  our  victorious  men,  and  did  not  halt  until  the  foe 
was  safely  screened  in  their  original  position  of  the  morning.* 

Fighting  on  the  left  had  now  lasted  several  hours — our  men 
were  thoroughly  exhausted,  and  unable  to  advance  farther  upon 
the  enemy.  In  truth,  it  would  not  have  been  wise  to  do  so; 
for  our  present  position  for  defence  was  preferable  ground  to 
any  we  could  win.  Cannonading  now  opened  with  great  fury 
on  both  sides;  and  it  was  soon  ascertained  that  the  foe  was 
largely  reenforced,  and  beginning  another  advance,  f  This  they 
did  in  gallant  style ;  but  were  met  again  by  such  a  determined, 
withering  fire,  and  their  loss  was  so  great,  that  no  impression 
could  be  made  upon  our  position ;  not  only  were  they  loth  to 
follow  us  into  the  woods,  but  they  were  quickly  beaten  and 
demoralized  in  open  ground.  Constant  volleys  were  now  ex- 
changed by  both  sides;  and,  as  reenforcements  arrived  for 
Jackson,  they  were  immediately  thrown  in  front  to  withstand 
the  third  attack,:}:  then  organizing  along  the  enemy's  right, 
which  was  to  be  composed  of  all  the  commands  there  present. 

The  new  line  of  the  enemy  seemed  to  be  of  immense  strength ; 
but  as  they  came  fully  into  view  our  artillery  opened  upon 
them  with  such  rapidity  and  accuracy  that  great  confusion  and 
disorder  began  to  reign  ere  they  came  sufficiently  close  to  ex- 
change shots  with  our  infantry.  Long  and  constant  volleys 
resounded  along  our  whole  wing ;  both  combatants  were  sta- 
tionary ;  sometimes  we  slightly  gave  ground,  and  again  recov- 
ered it,  until  at  last  our  fire  began  to  tell  among  the  enemy ; 
and  it  seemed  that  little  was  now  required  to  drive  them  com- 
pletely from  the  field.  While  indecision  seemed  to  reign  among 
Federal  commanders,  ours  were  unanimous  for  an  advance  • 
and,  when  the  order  was  received,  loud  cheers  and  yells  burst 
forth  from  all  our  'troops,  and  the  cannonade  re-opened  with 
redoubled  fury.  The  onset  was  furious,  nothing  seemed  to 
withstand  the  impetuosity  of  our  men ;  the  enemy  gradually 
withdrew  from  the  open  grounds  in  much  confusion.  Fresh 
divisions§  were  hurried  to  the  front  to  check  our  advance. 

*  This  first  attack  had  been  opened  on  our  left  by  Hooker's  corps, 
f  The  second  advance  was  made  by  Sumner's  corps. 
^  This  was  made  by  Mansfield's  corps. 
§  Sedgwick's  corps. 


IN  THE  WOODS  AGAIN.  487 

The  meeting  was  terrible,  but  the  shock  of  short  duration : 
beaten  again  and  again,  they  were  at  last  driven  beyond  the 
position  originally  occupied,  when  Ilopker's  attack  began  the 
previous  afternoon. 

Through  woods  and  copse,  across  corn-fields  and  ploughed 
fields,  grassy  slopes  and  meadows,  over  gullies,  ditches,  brooks, 
and  fences,  the  combatants  in  this  wing  had  contended  since 
early  morning,  and  their  lines  had  advanced  or  retreated  again 
and  again,  until  it  seemed  that  every  acre  of  the  landscape  was 
strewn  with  dead.  Tokens  of  carnage  were  visible  on  every 
hand ;  the  woods  were  torn  and  shattered ;  the  corn  and 
grass  were  trodden  under  foot;  outhouses  and  farmhouses 
were  heaps  of  blazing  ruins;  while  for  miles,  long  lines  of 
smoke  ascended  over  the  fertile  valley,  and  numerous  bat- 
teries uninterruptedly  belched  forth  showers  of  shot  and 
shell.  Still  the  contending  lines  swayed  and  advanced,  or 
broke  and  retreated,  so  that,  to  civilized  beings,  it  seemed  like 
some  ghastly  panorama  of  things  transpiring  in  a  nether  world. 

Jackson's  impetuous  advance  at  length  halted.  His  men  had 
far  surpassed  their  olden  fame;  but  it  soon  became  apparent 
that  weakness  was  enfeebling  our  efforts,  and  that  without  re- 
enforcements  we  could  not  maintain  the  conquered  ground, 
should  any  fresh  body  of  the  enemy  assail  us.  Indications 
were  not  wanting  to  prove  the  enemy's  activity,  and  the  signal 
corps  soon  gave  warning  that  fresh  and  heavy  masses  were 
concentrating  and  forming,  to  make  a  final  effort  to  dislodge  us 
from  our  advanced  position.  Soon  the  enemy  appeared  to  our 
front  again,  and  advanced  with  a  steadiness  which  plainly  indi- 
cated they  had  never  yet  pulled  trigger  during  the  day.  The 
meeting  was -fierce,  vindictive,  and  bitter;  volleys  were  given 
and  returned  incessantly,  their  artillery  slowly  moved  up  to 
the  front,  and  our  line  began  to  fall  back  with  regularity  and 
coolness.  We  would  again  retrace  our  steps,  and  invite  them 
into  the  woods,  where  their  first  attacking  corps  had  so  sudden- 
ly melted  away.  Slowly  we  fell  back,  and  still  more  cautiously 
did  the  enemy  pursue.  For  some  time  the  fight  was  maintained 
by  us  in  open  ground,  and^our  superior  fire  inflicted  great  loss 
among  them.  Through  the  corn-fields  once  more  we  enticed 
the  enemy  onward,  and  boldly  they  advanced  to  try  there  again 


488  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

the  fortune  of  war.  /  Once  within  the  timber  our  generals 
quickly  prepared  for  their  coming,  and  fell  back  some  distance. 

Forward  still  the  enemy  came  over  the  numerous  dead  of 
their  own  army  ;  but,  ere  they  entered  the  woods,  they  opened 
a  long  and  fierce  cannonade,  throwing  hundreds  of  shell  and 
round  shot  on  those  spots  which  we  were  supposed  to  occupy. 
Our  men,  however,  having  re-formed  much  farther  back  than 
'at  first,  these  missiles  fell  short;  not  a  man  of  our  line  was 
touched,  but  all  lay  quietly  on  their  faces  until  daylight  was 
shut  out  from  our  front  by  the  dark  massive  lines  of  the  enemy, 
who,  slowly  approaching,  made  the  woods  echo  with  their 
cheers.  Cautiously  they  advanced,  and  single  shots  of  sharp- 
shooters resounded  through  the  forest,  as  of  solitary  hunters  in 
search  of  game.  Moving  forward  up  a  gentle  rise,  their  long 
lines  canie  full  in  few,  and  instantly  our  artillery  and  infantry 
opened  upon  them  with  a  deafening  roar.  Branches  and  leaves 
showered  down  on  friend  and  foe  alike ;  trees  cracked,  and 
bowed  or  toppled  over,  and  fell  with  a  crash  among  the  enemy 
in  low  ground,  and  still  volleys  upon  volleys  whistled  through 
the  cover,  until  it  seemed  as  if  the  clouds  .had  opened  and 
rained  down  showers  of  bullets.  The  smoke,  confusion,  dust, 
and  noise  were  indescribable  ;  and  how  long  the  fierce  conflict 
lasted  I  knew  not,  but  it  seemed  to  me  an  age. 

Bravely  had  the  enemy  assailed  us,  and  gallantly  were  they 
repulsed.  Jackson  could  not  be  moved,  but  held  his  ground  ; 
and,  taking  advantage  of  apparent  indecision  and  mystification, 
gave  the  word  to  advance,  and  this,  the  fifth  corps  sent  against 
him,  was  hurled  bleeding,  staggering,  and  defeated  from  his 
front,  and  retreated  from  the  timber  with  great  loss. 

But  Jackson  was  too  weak  to  attempt  another  advance,  and 
was  content  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check  until  positive  informa- 
tion could  be  ascertained  of  McClellan's  operations  on  other 
parts  of  our  lines. 

It  was  now  past  noon.  The  conflict  had  raged  with  varying 
fortune  on  our  left,  but  from  the  general  line  of  fire  visible 
over  the  landscape,  it  was  evident  we  had  not  lost  ground,  and 
could  not  be  dislodged  from  the  position  our  leaders  had  select- 
ed. At  the  centre,  heavy  cannonading  was  going  on,  which  in 
many  instances  was  disastrous  to  our  wounded,  for  the  enemy's 


ATTACK  ON  THE  'CONFEDERATE  RIGHT.       489 

missiles  flying  high,  coursed  over  our  line,  and  fell  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Sharpsburgh,  or  caused  much  distress  to  our  ambulance 
trains.  Groups  of  officers  towards  the  left  had  been  for  several 
hours  anxiously  watching  the  development  of  the  Federal  at- 
tack, but  now  that  the  heaviest  firing  had  ceased,  and  the  action 
seemed  to  dwindle  down  into  a  cannonade,  they  returned  to  the 
centre  and  right,  apparently  well  pleased  with  the  aspect  of 
affairs,  and  judged  that  McClellan  would  next  attempt  to  feel  or 
force  our  other  wing.  Every  hillock  commanding  a  view  of  the 
battle-field  was  dotted  with  mounted  officers,  who  smiled  as  they 
1  doked  to  the  left,  and  said :  "  Jackson  bravely  maintains  the 
ground.  They  cannot  force  him  from  his  position :  he  holds 
on  to  it  like  grim  death!"  "Yes,"  said  another,  sitting  side- 
ways in  his  saddle,  and  smoking  a  cigar,  "  and  here  are  we 
doing  nothing.  By  Jove,  the  cannonade  is  becoming  heavy  on 
the  right  I  See  their  troops  yonder  moving  forward !  Our 
turn  comes  next.  Gentlemen,  every  man  to  his  post  I"  and  the 
group  of  officers  broke  up  as  each  galloped  off  to  his  command. 

For  miles  over  these  beautiful  fields  the  smoke  of  battle 
curled  away  in  snow-white  clouds.  The  roar  of  artillery  was 
regular  and  slow,  while  the  patter  of  distant  musketry,  and  the 
sharp,  ringing,  crackling  noise  of  rifle  volleys  kept  every  sense 
alive  to  the  dreadful  work  transpiring  on  all  sides.  Patches  of 
wood  up  and  down  the  lines  were  filled  with  smoke ;  bright 
flashes  from  hill  and  hollow  shot  forth  in  all  directions ;  lines 
were  seen  to  form  and  advance,  others  to  waver  and  break ; 
banners  rose  and  fell;  the  bright  flash  of  bayonets  and  the 
stream  of  fire  all  too  plainly  told  of  deathly  strife  on  every 
acre  of  the  scene. 

It  was  now  near  four  o'clock,  and  all  felt  anxious  for  the 
end  to  come.  The  better  informed  felt  certain  that  another 
attack  was  intended,  but  whether  McClellan  would  hurl  his 
hosts  at  our  centre  or  right  none  could  tell.  The  doubt  was 
soon  set  at  rest.  Heavy  infantry  firing  burst  forth  towards  the 
lower  bridge,  upon  which  several  of  our  batteries  in  cannon- 
ading position  opened  with  great  energy  and  fury.  The  en- 
emy's artillery  replied,  and  the  firing  became  general.  Gradu- 
ally falling  back,  our  infantry  moved  through  the  open  fields, 
delivering  volleys  as  they  retreated,  and  enticed  the  enemy  up 


490  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

the  rising  ground,  on  top  of  which  our  artillery  was  posted. 
Fast  as  they  crossed  the  bridge,  shot  and  shell  assailed  them, 
until  it  seemed  as  if  the  passage  was  literally  blocked  up  with 
heaps  of  dead.  Our  round  shot,  striking  the  heavy  stonework 
of  the  bridge,  knocked  out  fragments  in  all  directions,  while 
shells  fell  thick  and  fast,  exploding  among  their  advancing 
columns. 

Gradually  retiring,  our  infantry  re-formed  in  woods  to  the 
rear  of  artillery,  and  seemed  desirous  of  enticing  the  enemy 
still  onwards.  Forward  they  came,  and  gallantly  ;  their  force 
was  very  great,  and  it  suffered  much  from  our  active  batteries, 
which  limbered  and  retired,  to  wards  the  woods,  but  ever  main- 
tained a  fierce  fire  upon  the  heads  of  their  columns.  As  soon, 
however,  as  the  enemy  had  ascended  the  "rise"  from  the 
bridge,  and  come  within  full  view  of  our  force  drawn  up  near 
the  woods,  incessant  volleys  assailed  their  line  of  battle,  and  it 
began  to  melt  away.  The  storm  of  shot  and  shell  which  met 
the  Federal  advance  was  awful.  Every  imaginable  spot  was 
alive  and  swarming  with  combatants.  Eeenforcements  had 
arrived,  and  rushed  into  the  fray  with  loud  cheers,  so  that  the 
dark  woods  seemed  filled  with  men  where  none  had  been  be- 
fore. The  Federal  advance  was  arrested;  their  leading  regi- 
ments had  been  literally  blown  to  pieces,  and  although  succor 
was  momentarily  arriving,  it  only  served  to  fill  up  the  fearful 
gaps  everywhere  visible  in  their  line.  For  some  short  time  the 
battle  raged  with  great  fury,  and  although  hard  pressed,  the 
enemy  would  not  yield  his  ground ;  but  when  our  artillery  had 
opened  at  shorter  distance,  and  our  infantry  advanced  to  closer 
quarters,  their  line  began  to  fall  back,  and  our  men  followed 
over  heaps  of  lifeless  and  mangled  carcases. 

But  while  this  deafening  cannonade  continued  on  our  right, 
and  the  enemy  were  being  slowly  driven  back  to  the  bridge, 
we  could  distinctly  hear  heavy  artillery  practice  to  our  left, 
which  informed  us  that  the  attack  had  been  renewed  in  that 
quarter,  and  that  Jackson  was,  as  usual,  full  of  business.  The 
whole  line  of  battle  seemed  to  have  gained  new  life  and  anima- 
tion, and  both  sides  were  fighting  earnestly  and  with  vigor. 
The  engagement  could  not  last  long,  for  the  sun  was  fast  sink- 
ing, and  if  the  enemy  meant  to  achieve  something  great,  it  was 


THE  ATTACK  REPULSED.  491 

time  for  McClellan  to  have  commenced.  Nothing  of  moment 
occurred  at  our  centre ;  both  wings  were  seriously  engaged, 
Jackson  on  the  left  was  immovable,  and  Longstreet  on  our 
right  was  gradually  driving  the  enemy  towards  the  bridge. 
The  carnage  here  was  frightful,  and  as  our  shot  and  shell 
plunged  into  their  retreating  ranks,  the  whole  vicinity  of  the 
bridge  seemed  strewn  with  bodies,  horses,  wagons,  and  artillery. 

Both  attacks  of  the  enemy  upon  our  wings  had  failed,  and 
they  had  been  repulsed  with  fearful  slaughter.  Franklin,  Sum- 
ner,  Hooker,  Mansfield,  and  other  corps  commanders  on  their 
right,  had  been  fought  to  a  stand-still.  They  were  exhausted 
and  powerless.  Burnside,  on  their  left,  had  been'  fearfully 
handled  by  Longstreet,  and  was  driven  in  confusion  upon  the 
bridge,  which  he  held  with  a-  few  cannon,  and  suffered  every 
moment  from  our  batteries  on  rising  ground.  We  did  not 
desire  the  bridge,  or  it  might  have  been  held  from  the 
beginning,  and,  save  a  desultory  cannonade,  the  enemy  were 
now  inactive  and  exhausted.  When  the  sun  sank  all  felt  in- 
finite relief  from  the  fatigue  and  dangers  of  the  day,  and  al- 
though it  could  not  be  said  we  had  gained  a  battle,  we  certainly 
could  boast  of  having  defeated  our  enemy's  plan  throughout 
the  entire  day,  and  though  inferior  in  force,  had  frequently 
hurled  them  back  upon  their  original  position  with  frightful 
loss. 

Every  one  imagined  that  the  struggle  would  be  resumed  on 
the  morrow,  and  our  lines  sank  to  rest  upon  the  ground, 'with 
the  dead  and  dying  around  them.  Many  of  the  men  prowled 
about,  picking  up  various  articles  from  the  Federal  dead,  while 
burying  parties  were  hard  at  work,  and  ambulances  engaged  in 
removing  the  wounded.  Sharpsburgh  itself  was  one  entire 
hospital,  and  the  inhabitants  assisted  our  wounded  with  much 
tenderness  and  care.  Every  house  and  every  cottage  had  some 
afflicted  tenant ;  but  all  our  men  bore  up  under  their  sufferings 
with  that  unflinching  fortitude  which  has  ever  characterized 
them  throughout  the  war. 

The  night  passed  wearily  by.  Camp-fires  burned  brightly, 
but  quietness  reigned  throughout  the  lines  undisturbed  by  any 
demonstration  of  the  enemy.  Friends  met  friends  around  the 
fires,  and  spoke  of  dangers  past.  This  officer  was  reported 


492  .    BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

dead  and  that  one  wounded ;  one  had  lost  his  leg.  another  his 
arm ;  Colonel  Smith  had  been  blown  to  pieces,  and  General 
Jones  desperately  hurt ;  shells  had  exploded  in  the  midst  of  a 
general's  staff  and  disabled  every  man;  hats  and  coats  had 
been  perforated,  and  no  one  could  move  twenty  paces  without 
seeing  many  with  heads  or  arms  bandaged,  or,  pipe  in  mouth, 
limping  to  the  rear.  In  one  place,  a  youth  was  lying  near  a 
camp-fire  dying,  the  embers  lighting  up  his  pallid  features  as 
he  opened  his  eyes  and  kissed  a  "brother  kneeling  by  his  side. 
Now,  I  met  half  a  dozen  stalwart  men,  bearing  their  wounded 
and  moaning  colonel  to  an  ambulance.  Again,  I  passed  a 
group  of,  busy  surgeons,  cutting  and  probing  their  dumb  pa- 
tients; now  couriers  and  orderlies  dashed  furiously  by;  a 
general  and  his  staff  slowly  trotted  off  in  one  direction,  regi- 
ments and  batteries  passed  on  in  another.  All  the  horrible 
sights  of  a  battle-field  were  frequent  and  hear-trending,  while 
groans  -reached  the  ear  from  every  barn  and  every  house,  and 
through  the  whole  length  and  breadth  of  the  woods.  Prepara- 
tions were  still  going  on  for  a  renewal  of  the  conflict  on  the 
morrow,  should  the  enemy  force  it ;  but  in  my  inmost  heart  I 
hoped  and  prayed  that  Providence  might  postpone  it,  for  our 
own  men  were  thoroughly  exhausted  with  long  marches  and 
hard  fighting,  and  lay  upon  the  ground  in  battle-line  as  help- 
less and  quiet  as  children. 

The  morning  broke,  and  all  was  bustle  and  preparation,  but 
the  enemy  moved  not.  Smoke  from  camp-fires  slowly  ascended 
in  all  directions,  and  their  ambulances,  like  ours,  were  creeping 
over  the  scene  in  sad  procession.  Still  we  knew  not  at  what 
moment  the  dark  masses  of  the  foe  might  again  appear ;  it  was 
cause  for  rejoicing  when  it  was  whispered  that  preparations  were 
already  progressing  for  our  retreat,  and  that  all  the  wagons  had 
gone  up  the  river  towards  Williamsport. 

Tfls  next  day  passed  without  any  thing  of  moment  transpir- 
ing, and  during  the  night  the  bulk  of  our  troops  began  to  re- 
treat, but  with  great  coolness  and  order.  Jackson  was  intrusted 
with  the  rear-guard,  and  next  morning  (nineteenth)  the  last  of 
our  regiments  withdrew  from  the  scene  without  hindrance  or 
molestation.  Some  cavalry  encounters  occurred,  it  is  true,  but 
not  of  such  importance  as  to  retard  our  movements ;  and  save 


THE  CONFEDERATE  RETREAT.  493 

a  few  shots  occasionally  exchanged  with  our  rear-guard,  nothing 
indicated  that  the  enemy  were  in  such  "hot"  pursuit  as  their 
official  telegrams  subsequently  stated.  .  The  retreat  was  slow, 
orderly,  and  unmolested.  Jackson  conducted  it;  and  his  dis- 
positions were  so  skilfully  made  that  tljey  fairly  defied  any 
effort  the  enemy  might  make  to  inflict  loss  or  make  captures. 
It  cannot  be  denied  that  large  numbers  of  dead  and  wounded 
were  left  behind  to  the  tender  mercies  of  the  foe,  but  all  who 
could  be  removed  were  carefully  provided  for,  and  safely  con- 
veyed into  Virginia.  Save  some  half-dozen  disabled  cannon  or 
caissons,  and  a  few  arms,  little  was  left  in  the  enemy's  hands  of 
which  they  could  truthfully  boast.* 

Jackson  managed  the  retreat  so  skilfully  that  the  enemy  were 
completely  unaware  of  the  destination  of  our  forces.  Save  a 

*  Being  on  the  defensive,  our  loss  was  much  less  than  that  of  the  enemy,  who, 
in  attacking,  advanced  over  open  ground,  and  were  much  exposed  to  our  accurate 
fire.  From  the  best  sources  of  information,  I  learn  that  oih-  killed  and  wounded 
amounted  to  eight  thousand,  exclusive  of  a  few  prisoners ;  one  thousand  of  our 
wounded  were  left  behind,  and  a  convention  entered  into  for  the  burial  of  the  dead. 
It  has  been  stated  by  Northern  journals  that  we  lost  thirty  thousand  in  all,  but  this 
is  pure  fiction.  Among  our  losses  in  this  engagement  were  General  Stark  and 
Brigadier-General  Branch  killed ;  Brigadier-Generals  Anderson,  Wright,  Lawton, 
Armsted,  Kipley,  Ransom,  and  Jones,  wounded.  I  learn  that  during  the  thirty 
hours,  or  more,  which  intervened  between  the  engagement  and  our  retreat,  little 
was  left  upon  the  battle-field  in  cannon  or  arms,  but  every  thing  worth  attention 
was  carried  off.  Although  the  enemy  claim  to  have  captured  thousands  of  anna 
and  dozens  of  cannon,  I  need  not  add  that  this,  for  the  most  part,  was  all  imagi- 
nation. 

McClellan's  loss  has  been  placed  at  twelve  thousand  killed,  wounded,  and  miss- 
ing ;  and  I  think"  the  estimate  below  reality.  Among  his  killed  were  Generals  Mans- 
field, Richardson,  Hartsuff,  and  others;  and  among  a  fearful  list  of  generals 
wounded  were  Sumner,  Hooker,  Meagher,  Duryea,  Max  Weber,  Dana,  Sedgwick, 
French,  Ricketts,  Rodman,  and  others. 

It  is  almost  unnecessary  for  me  to  say  that  McClellan  claimed  this  battle  as  "  a 
great  victory"  for  the  Union  cause,  but  did  not  do  so  until  fully  assured  of  our 
retreat  into  Virginia.  Why  his  boastful  despatch  to  Washington  was  not  pen- 
ned before  our  retreat  from  Sharpsburgh  is  evidence  sufficient  to  show  that  he 
still  feared,  and  would  not  shout  "  until  he  was  out  of  the  woods."  In  truth,  the 
Northern  press  acknowledged  that  with  an  inferior  force  we  had  thrashed  them  to  a 
stand-still ;  so  much  so,  that  McClellan  could  only  muster  two  regiments  of  infantry 
with  two  guns  to  follow  in  pursuit,  and  was  not  aware  of  our  departure  until  many 
hours  after  we  retreated.  It  was  called  an  "indecisive  battle"  by  McClellan's 
warmest  partisans,  and  many  said  "  it  required  another  engagement  to  decide  Fed- 
eral superiority." 


494  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE  SOUTH. 

few  shots  enchanged  on  either  side,  nothing  of  moment  occurred ; 
and  our  whole  army  was  established  on  the  south  bank  ere  the 
Federals  had  positive  knowledge  of  the  movement.*  On  the 
twentieth,  however,  their  army  began  to  move  —  Fitz-John 
Porter  taking  the  advance,  who  judged,  from  the  extremely 
quiet  look  of  all  things  on  the  Virginia  shore,  that  we  were  far 
inland.  Barnes's  brigade  of  Pennsylvanians,  supported  by  one 
of  "regulars,"  under  chief  command  of  General  Sykes,  moved 
towards  the  river,  and  forded  the  stream  at  Boteler's  Mills. 
Heavy  guns  were  planted  on  the  Maryland  shore  to  cover  their 
crossing. 

Jackson  had  felt  certain  that  the  enemy  would  attempt  to  pur- 
sue, and  he  made  no  display  of  force  likely  to  intimidate  them. 
The  passage  of  the  river  was  undisputed,  except  by  a  few  small 
field-pieces ;  and  when  they  had  landed  in  Virginia,  our  gun- 
ners took  flight  in  apparent  trepidation.  The  enemy  quickly 
perceived  this  movement,  and  imagining  that  our  forces  were 
demoralized,  they  rushed  forward  with  much  cheering.  The 
division  of  Ambrose  Hill,  however,  was  cleverly  concealed  from 
view ;  and  when  the  enemy  had  advanced  sufficiently  far,  several 
of  our  batteries  opened  upon  them,  and  Hill's  troops  attacking 
in  front  and  flank,  unceremoniously  began  the  work  of  slaughter. 
Their  surprise,  confusion,  and  loss  were  so  great,  and  effected 
so  quickly,  that  they  rushed  back  towards  the  river  in  great 
haste ;  but  such  was  the  impatience  and  ardor  of  our  men,  that 
scarcely  one  of  the  Pennsylvania  brigade  escaped  death  or  cap- 
ture. The  stream  was  literally  blocked  up  with  dead,  and  al- 
though the  enemy  maintained  a  heavy  cannonade  upon  us,  it 
could  not  restrain  the  impetuosity  and  rapidity  of  our  attack. 

Leaving  heaps  of  slain  behind,  and  unheeding  the  constant 
cannonade  maintained  from  Maryland,  our  forces  withdrew  to- 

*  When  McClellan  heard  of  our  backward  movement  on  the  nineteenth,  he  tele, 
graphed  to  Washington :  "  I  do  not  know  if  the  enemy  is  falling  back  to  an  interior 
position,  or  re-crossing  the  river.  We  may  safely  claim  the  victory  as  ours."  He 
did  not  assert  this  until  more  than  thirty  hours  had  elapsed  subsequent  to  the  en. 
gagement  at  Sharpsburgh  !  Some  few  hours  after  the  above  telegram,  he  consoled 
the  authorities  at  Washington  by  saying:  "Our  victory  is  complete!  The  enemy 
ia  driven  (?)  back  into  Virginia.  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  are  now  safe !' 
Again  he  added ;  "  The  Confederates  succeeded  in  crossing  the  Potomac  on  Friday 
morning  with  all  their  transports  and  wounded,  except  some  three  hundred  of  the 
latter!" 


CAVALRY  ENGAGEMENT.  495 

•wards  the  Opequan,  and  drew  up  in  line  of  battle  on  the  west 
side  of  it,  our  left  extending  to  Williamsport  and  the  Potomac. 
Although  we  were  in  battle  array  many  days  in  anxious  expec- 
tation, the  Federals  remained  quiet  in  Maryland,  and  made  no 
attempts  to  disturb  us.  A  large  mass  of  our  troops  had  gone 
up  the  Valley  towards  Winchester,  and  halted  there,  and  by 
degrees  the  whole  army  followed  in  the  same  direction,  careful- 
ly carting  and  conveying  away  every  thing  that  could  be  of 
use ;  so  that  large  part  of  the  harvests  recently  gathered  fell 
into  the  hands  of  our  commissaries  and  quartermasters,  thus 
leaving  the  whole  country  once  again  barren  of  supplies  for  any 
pursuing  force. 

The  only  episode  which  enlivened  our  monotonous  inactivity 
was  a  cavalry  engagement  (October  second)  between  a  small  de- 
tachment of  Stuart's  command  and  a  heavy  force  under  Pleas- 
anton.  The  enemy  were  very  desirous  of  ascertaining  our 
whereabouts  and  strength ;  and  for  this  purpose  a  considerable 
number  of  cavalry  and  twelve  pieces  of  artillery  crossed  the 
stream  near  Shepherdstown,  and  advanced  up  towards  our 
lines.  They  were  met  by  Fitz-Hugh  Lee,  and  sharp  fighting 
ensued ;  but  the  latter,  being  overpowered,  bravely  maintained 
the  combat,  and  sent  for  reenforcements.  Stuart  was  immedi- 
ately in  the  saddle,  and  swooping  down  upon  Pleasanton,  with 
a  fresh  force,  drove  that  commander  from  the  field,  and  pursued 
him  to  within  a  short  distance  of  Shepherdstown,  where  a  large 
force  of  the  enemy  were  then  stationed.  This  cavalry  en- 
counter was  a  smart  affair,  and  conducted  by  both  leaders  with 
marked  ability.  Had  not  darkness  ensued,  our  captures  would 
have  proved  considerable,  as  the  Federals  were  completely 
routed,  and  their  rear-guard  dispersed  in  much  confusion  long 
ere  they  reached  Shepherdstown. 

Northern  newspapers  made  such  boast  regarding  the  battle  ot 
Sharpsburgh  and  of  the  "rebel  rout,"  that  their  fervid  imagin- 
ings caused  much  amusement  and  ridicule  among  our  men,  who 
by  long  experience  had  become  accustomed  to  the  falsity  of 
their  official  statements ;  so  that  when  we  daily  read  their  loud 
bcllowings  and  ecstatic  glorifications  about  "thirty  thousand 
rebels  killed  and  wounded,  thousands  of  prisoners,  and  im- 
mense spoil,"  etc.,  we  could  but  smile,  and  despise  their  men- 


496  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

i 

dacity  even  more  than  ever.*  "Every  rebel  had  been  driven 
from  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,"  we  were  informed,  and 
"our  hosts  lay  trembling  at  their  feet,"  whenever  McClellan 
should  give  the  order  to  march;  yet  while  their  faces  were 
radiant  with  joy,  and  stump  orators  expanded  their  jaws  in 
rhapsodical  orations  of  self-laudation,  the  whole  country  was 
suddenly  awe-struck  at  the  audacity  of  Stuart. 

Selecting  twelve  hundred  from  the  best  mounted  men  of 
his  division,  (October  tenth,)  Stuart  crossed  the  Potomac, 
and  without  hindrance  made  a  bold  push  for  Pennsylvania, 
in  McClellan's  rear.  In  truth,  he  had  been  engaged  in  appro- 
priating or  destroying  vast  amounts  of  Federal  property  for 
over  twenty-four  hours  ere  the  foe  believed  the  report  to  be 
more  than  rumor ;  and  then  McClellan  coolly  informed  the  na- 
tion that  it  "  need  not  be  alarmed,  his  whole  cavalry  force  was 
on  the  move  in  pursuit;"  that  "Stuart  and  his  command  would 
be  killed  or  captured  within  a  few  hours,  for  it  was  impossible 
to  escape  through  the  trap  prepared  for  them."  Stuart's  move- 
ments were  rapid,  indeed,  and  the  amount  of  army  stores  de- 
stroyed on  his  route  was  very  great.  At  Chambersburgh  were 
large  depots  of  clothing,  shoes,  blankets,  harness,  and  many 
horses,  brought  by  railway  for  McClellan's  army,  and  of  which 
it  stood  greatly  in  need.  All  needful  supplies  were  taken  by 
our  men,  and  the  rest  destroyed. 

The  consternation  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  several  towns 
and  villages  in  Stuart's  route  was  laughable  indeed :  all  military 
men  were  paroled ;  all  horses  and  mules  were  seized  for  our 
service,  but  no  injury  done  or  appropriation  made  of  any  other 
species  of  private  property.  Pompous  mayors  of  towns,  with 
goose-like  processions  of  sleek  aldermen,  or  bilberry-nosed  poli- 
ticians of  snug  little  villages,  who  shortly  before  had  astonished 
the  ears  of  groundlings  with  spasmodic  bursts  of  patriotic  elo- 
quence, now  meekly  came  forth  to  meet  Stuart's  troopers,  with 

*  McClellan  says  in  his  official  despatch :  "  We  lost  two  thousand  and  ten  killed, 
nine  thousand  four  hundred  and  sixteen  wounded,  and  ten  hundred  and  forty-three 
missing.  In  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  it  may  be  safely  estimated  that  the 
enemy  lost  thirty  thousand  of  their  best  troops."  This,  of  course,  is  erroneous ; 
but  a  general  who  cannot  positively  state  whether  he  is  victorious  or  defeated  until 
his  enemy  has  retreated  some  fifty  hours  subsequent  to  au  engagement,  may  be 
"  safely  "  allowed  a  broad  margin  for  his  fevered  and  excited  imagination. 


RAID  OF  STUART.  497 

ludicrous  gait  and  manner.  It  was  certain,  however,  that 
McClellan  and  his  whole  army  were  on  the  alert;  and  as  the  tel- 
egraph had  informed  him  of  our  route  and  strength,  none 
doubted  that  the  enemy  would  make  strenuous  exertions  to 
watch  the  roads  and  guard  every  ford  between  Washington  and 
Shepherdstown.  When  Stuart  had  proceeded  as  far  -Gettys- 
burgh,  some  imagined  he  would  return ;  but  crossing  the  Mo- 
nocac.y,  he  rapidly  pushed  down  its  east  bank,  and,  during 
night,  successfully  passed  large  detachments  of  troops  on 
McClellan's  left  wing. 

Every  highway  and  by-path  in  this  part  of  Maryland  was 
.  minutely  known  to  Stuart,  who  now  stole  through  the  country 
around  Poolesville,  and  directed  his  course  towards  Edwards's 
Ferry,  a  few  miles  from  Leesburgh.  To  screen  the  true  number 
of  his  force,  and  distract  the  enemy's  attention,  his  command 
was  divided  into  several  parties,  which  sought  the  river  at  vari- 
ous points  and  crossed  by  different  fords.  The  Federal  plans 
became  confused  from  various  conflicting  statements  brought  by 
their  scouts  and  spies,  so  that  ere  they  had  determined  upon 
any  settled  plan  of  action,  Stuart  had  crossed  the  Potomac  with 
his  booty,  and  without  the  loss  of  a  man,  at  the  same  time 
bringing  away  more  than  six  hundred  mules  and  horses,  laden 
with  all  manner  of  supplies.  It  might  be  said  with  truth  that 
he  had  fully  remounted  his  whole  command  while  on  the  raid, 
besides  the  six  hundred  animals  heavily  burdened  with  cloth- 
ing, arms,  and  except  a  few  shots  exchanged  with  the  disap- 
pointed enemy,  who  arrived  at  the  river's  edge  in  time  to  wit- 
ness our  triumphant  crossing,  this,  the  second  of  Stuart's  grand 
tours  of  inspection  round  McClellan's  lines,  was  effected  without 
the  expenditure  of  powder,  and  left  their  whole  army  in  sense- 
less astonishment  at  the  audacity  and  success  of  our  dashing 
troopers.  For  nearly  three  days  they  had  been  burning  and 
seizing  without  let  or  hindrance,  and  had  travelled  more  than  a 
hundred  miles  around  the  enemy,  baffling  telegrams,  plans, 
scouts,  spies,  generals,  and  thousands  of  travel-stained  and 
jaded  cavalry. 
32 


CHAPTER  XLIY. 

McClellan  again  invades  Virginia — Sigel  is  pushed  forward  from  Washington, 
and  takes  Position  at  Manassas — The  Federal  main  Army  moves  East  of  the 
Blue  Ridge,  and  has  Head-quarters  at  Warrenton — Lee  marches  in  a  parallel 
Line  through  the  Shenandoah  Valley — Surprise  and  Flight  of  Sigel  upon  the 
Appearance  of  Confederate  Cavalry — Change  of  Federal  Commanders — Rapid . 
March  of  tke  Federals  to  the  Rappahannock — Battle  of  Fredericksburgh,  De- 
cember thirteenth. 

How  long  McClellan  would  remain  motionless  in  Maryland, 
or  what  caused  his  inaction,  were  to  the  many-  an  insoluble 
problem.  Although  the  daily  demand  of  the  Northern  jour- 
nals was  for  an  immediate  "on  to  Richmond  "  movement,  the 
enemy  seemed  to  be  exceedingly  loth  to  place  foot  again  on 
Virginian  soil.  The  Southern  army  was  represented  to  be 
greatly  demoralized  by  the  "  splendid  and  glorious  "  victory 
of  Antietam ;  nevertheless,  the  Northern  leaders  in  the  field 
betrayed  the  greatest  caution,  and  endeavored  to  surprise  Gene- 
ral Lee  by  every  artifice  which  cunning  could  suggest.  South- 
ern generals,  however,  could  not  be  hoodwinked;  their  eyes 
and  ears  were  open  to  every  movement ;  and  they  were  accu- 
rately informed  of  all  that  transpired  within  McClellan 's  camp. 
How  this  information  was  obtained,  or  by  whom,  must  ever 
remain  profound  mysteries  to  me  ;  yet  I  confess  the  daily  pro- 
gramme of  Federal  movements  was  as  freely  discussed  by 
groups  of  officers  at  camp-fires  round  Winchester  as  they  could 
have  been  in  the  large  invading  army  of  Maryland. 

Winchester  was  our  pivot-point  —  whether  for  offensive  or 
defensive  operations  —  in  the  Yalley ;  and  had  the  enemy  ad- 
vanced up  the  Shenandoah,  I  see  nothing  in  the  world  which 
could  have  prevented  us  from  defeating  them  either  en  masse  or 
in  detail ;  for  the  ground  from  Bunker  Hill,  near  Charlestown, 
to  and  beyond  Winchester  and  Strasburgh,  was  admirably 
'  adapted  for  defence.  At  the  latter  place,  Lee  could  have  as- 


®^-**4/s;sSiK^"^^  i    ^ 

i/VI-   »ta     **&t?3/  °\    \       I        f>XC"'"    "  X 

«**  V  •  f  U&*<l$r  <  f  ',       -; .  •  ••  T  ,  s '.'  --  ••          .      -X  >r/r-  -  -1  j 


- 


z      *'-* 

//REFERENCE 

mti'  !•••,<,/>•,  -Jirwn  thus  ___ 
/*«.* — 

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SCALE 


THE  FEDERALS  IN  VIRGINIA.  499 

Kumed  a  position  which,  fortified  as  he  alone  knows  how, 
might  have  defied  the  best  and  most  numerous  armies  in  the 
world.  McClellan  was  shrewd,  and  fully  alive  to  the  difficul- 
ties of  that  route ;  he  had  no  supplies  at  hand  in  such  a  region, 
and  could  not  be  regularly  served  by  his  trains  over  a  deserted 
and  mountainous  country.  More  than  this,  the  possession  of 
Winchester  gave  opportunities  for  Lee  to  pass  between  him 
and  Washington. 

Having  again  fortified  Harper's  Ferry,  the  Federal  army 
poured  into  Virginia,  and  took  up  their  line  of  march  east  of 
the  Blue  Eidge ;  thus  always  presenting  front  to  Lee,  who  in 
a  parallel  line  slowly  proceeded  up  the  Valley,  carefully  watch- 
ing any  weakness  in  their  front  through  which  he  could  break 
and  disjoint  it.  Both  generals  were  looking  into  each  other's 
eyes ;  but  McClellan  might  have  gazed  for  ever,  and  never 
divined  any  thing  flitting  across  the  mind  of  the  calm-faced, 
smiling,  modest,  and  unpretending  visage  of  Lee.  His  face 
was  a  blank — all  pallor  and  thought ;  but  not  a  wrinkle,  flush, 
twitch,  or  motion  of  the  eye,  gave  the  remotest  idea  of  his 
thoughts  and  intentions.  He  passed  from  point  to  point  with- 
out ostentation  or  show ;  his  movements  we*e  quiet,  undemon- 
strative, and  calm  ;  whether  commanding  generals  or  listening 
to  couriers,  he  was  the  same  as  he  had  ever  been  —  an  impene- 
trable block  of  marble. 

McClellan's  movements  seemed  to  indicate  that  indecision 
ruled  in  his  councils.  Sometimes  there  were  tokens  of  an  ad- 
vance ;  then  again  a  few  days  would  suffice  to  dispel  such  con- 
jectures, and  warrant  ideas  of  his  speedy  retreat;  thus  it  was 
not  until  his  head-quarters  had  been  fully  established  at  ^T:ir- 
renton,  that  we  became  sanguine  and  positive  of  his  timidity. 
The  Federal  army  was  much  larger  than  ours,  and  furnished 
with  supplies  beyond  any  thing  hitherto  imagined  in  warfare ; 
nor  had  its  chief  commenced  his  march,  despite  the  blusterings 
and  anathemas  of  quill- valiant  editors,  until  fully  and  super- 
abundantly reenforced  and  equipped. 

Some  time  before  his  own  advance,  McClellan  had  pushed  Sigel 
forward  from  Washington  to  Manassas  Junction,  with  a  report- 
ed force  of  thirty  thousand  men,  but  these  were  said  to  be  lev- 
ies and  unreliable.  Eailroad  communication  was  once  again 


500  BATTLE-FIELDS  OP  THE  SOUTH. 

perfected  from  Alexandria  to  Warrenton,  and  it  soon  became 
palpable  that,  as  the  main  army  was  massed  round  the  latter 
place,  we  might  look  to  that  point  for  indications  of  future 
movements.  Whatever  the  intentions  of  Federal  generals  in 
their  choice  of  routes,  it  was  evident  that  the  main  object  in 
view  was  the  surprise  and  capture  of  Richmond  by  every,  pos- 
sible means ;  but  it  was  also  clear  that  to  accomplish  this  the 
enemy  must  cross  the  Rappahannock  at  some  point,  so  that  our 
generals  in  the  Yalley  held  their  troops  well  together  for  in- 
stant movement,  nor  was  there  any  thing  neglected  in  our 
arrangements  which  could  in  any  manner  facilitate  the  rapid 
concentration  of  forces  at  various  points. 

Longstreet's  corps  was  clustered  at  the  mouth  of  the  Yalley, 
ready  to  take  position  at  any  point  behind  the  Rappahannock. 
Daily  drill  was  incessant  and  severe,  discipline  was  at  its  high- 
est pitch,  and  reviews  were  not  unfrequent  among  the  various 
brigades  and  divisions.  At  no  period  of  the  war  were  we 
more  confident  and  gay ;  extensive  appropriations  and  pur- 
chases during  our  brief  sojourn  in  Maryland  and  on  the 
Pennsylvania  border,  had  replenished  our  stores  to  such  a 
degree,  and  Government  had  been  so  active  meanwhile,  in 
manufacturing  uniforms  and  the  like,  that  we  scarcely  knew 
ourselves ;  we  were  now  so  good-looking  and  comfortable,  that 
we  smiled  to  think  how  many  of  our  former  friends  would 
mistake  us  for  gentlemen !  Slowly  our  army  crept  up  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Yalley,  and  equally  slowly  were  McClellan's 
forces  gathered  around  him  at  Warrenton. 

September  and  October  had  passed  without  any  demonstra- 
tion of  moment  from  the  enemy,  and  now  cold,  bleak  Novem- 
ber whistled  over  the  fields  and  mountains  of  Yirginia.  The 
army  began  to  imagine  that  winter-quarters  were  intended,  but 
from  the  temper  of  the  Northern  journals  received  in  camp,  it 
was  plain  that  movements  of  some  kind  would  be  forced  upon 
McClellan.  About  the  tenth  of  November,  unusual  activity 
among  the  enemy  occasioned  more  than  ordinary  vigilance 
with  our  outposts,  and,  to  the  astonishment  of  every  one,  a 
Federal  deserter  informed  our  guard  of  McClellan's  dismissal, 
and  of  the  appointment  of  Burnside  as  chief  in  command,  add- 
ing, that  their  forces  were  almost  upon  the  point  of  open  mu- 
tiny in  consequence. 


BURNSIDE'S  MOVEMENTS.  501 

Although  this  was  fresh  news  to  us,  our  generals  smiled 
having  evidently  known  the  fact  long  before  our  advanced 
posts.     They  well  understood  that  McClellan  had  been  super- 
seded through  political  jealousy,  on  the  plea  of  apparent  inac- 
tion,  and,  consequently,  that  the  new  commander  would  bo 
expected  to  march  against  us  forthwith,  to  satisfy  the  universal 
clamor  of  the  North,  even  should  their  army  and  journals  reap 
naught  but  defeat  and  disgrace  from  such  a  movement.    But 
even   that  was  something!  it  was  food  for  "sensation;"  illus- 
trated journals  could  luxuriate  in  bloodthirsty  wood-cuts,   to 
please  the  million ;  other  favorites  would  be  forthwith  installed 
in   place;    and  an  endless  batch  of  fresh  commissions  and 
army  contracts  be  issued  for  the  delectation  and  emolument  of 
office-holders  or  political  partisans.    All  this  was  something, 
and  fully  appreciated  by  our  commanders,  who  complacently 
smoked,  and  tightened  the  reins  of  discipline  among  us  even 
more  than  ever. 

On  the  thirteenth  there  was  proof  positive  that  grand  move- 
ments were  transpiring  within  the  enemy's  lines,  and  it  be- 
came generally  known  that  Burnside  was  breaking  up  camps, 
and  proceeding  to  the  lower  Kappahannock.  Many  argued 
that  such  a  change  of  base  was  commendable  in  the  Federal 
chief;  for  his  depots,  at  Acquia  Creek,  could  be  supplied  by 
transports,  and  stores  conveyed  inland  by  railway  running 
from  that  point  to  Fredericksburgh.  Whether  he  wished  to 
force  a  passage  over  the  river  at  Fredericksburgh,  or  merely 
intended  to  prepare  for  winter-quarters,  were  matters  of  some 
speculation. 

Burnside's  movements,  however,  were  no  secret  to  our  lead- 
ers ;  for  Longstreet's  corps  immediately  marched  to  Fredericks- 
burgh,  and  arrived  there  before  any  large  body  of  the  enemy 
had  appeared.  It  is  true  that  the  Stafford  Heights,  on  the  north 
bank  of  the  river,  were  held  by  a  Federal  detachment  many 
days  ere  the  approach  of  their  main  army,  but  they  had  never 
attempted  to  cross  over  into  the  town.  Picket-firing  was  con- 
stant along  the  river;  but  despite  all  this  waste  of  powder, 
there  were  many  who  sincerely  believed  that  Burnside  had  no 
serious  intention  of  attacking,  regarding  this  movement  as  a 
harmless  display  of  force  to  divert  our  attention  from  his  real 


BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE   SOUTH. 

designs.  On  the  seventeenth,  however,  all  surmise  was  ban- 
ished from  our  minds.  General  Sumner  appeared  before  the 
place,  and  demanded  its  immediate  surrender.  The  Mayor  po- 
litely refused  to  recognize  such  a  demand;  and  the  town  being 
filled  with  our  troops,  the  municipal  authorities  were  extremely 
valiant  on  the  occasion,  and  apostrophized  Jupiter  and  all  the 
gods  in  fine  style.  Women  and  children,  for  the  most  part, 
were  conveyed  from  town,  and  active  preparations  set  on  foot 
for  fiercely  disputing  the  passage  of  the  river,  by  the  construc- 
tion of  field-works  on  the  hills  and  bluffs  which  ran  parallel 
with  the  stream  south  of  the  city.  All  was  done  in  secrecy, 
however;  and,  from  the  apparent  quietness  of  our  lines,  the 
enemy  were  unable  to  form  any  conjectures  of  our  position  and 
force. 

The  left  wing  under"  Jackson  had  not  arrived,  though  it  was 
rapidly  pushing  towards  us;  yet  ascertaining  that  Sigel  still 
held  his  corps  at  Manassas,  and  had  not  moved  nearer  to  Burn- 
side,  Jackson  sent  a  strong  force  of  cavalry  to  reconnoitre,  and 
their  appearance  filled  the  enemy  with  so  much  dismay  that 
they  instantly  broke  up  camps  and  fled  in  disorder  to  Wash- 
ington. It  was  suppose^  that  this  cavalry  detachment  was 
Jackson's  advance-guard,  and  that  we  were  endeavoring  to  get 
between  them  and  the  capital,  as  of  old.  ,  Whatever  their 
ideas,  the  retreat  was  a  most  hurried  and  disgraceful  affair ; 
whole  regiments  threw  down  their  arms  and  rushed  towards 
Alexandria  post  haste,  shouting:  "Jackson  is  coming!  he  is 
again  in  our  rear! — Old  Stonewall,  with  one  hundred  thousand 
men,  is  marching  on  Washington  !" 

On  the  twenty-first,  Burnside  personally  demanded  a  surren- 
der of  the  town,  an^  threatened  to  bombard  it  in  case  of  refusal. 
The  threat  was  treated  with  the  contempt  it  deserved,  and 
every  non-combatant  was  ordered  from  the  place.  It  was  now 
daily  expected  that  the  enemy  would  make  some  desperate 
attempt  at  crossing  in  face  of  all  opposition ;  yet  day  followed 
day  until  November  had  passed,  and  still  no  signs  of  Federal 
movements. 

Our  position  at  Fredericksburgh  was  admirably  chosen.  We 
were  posted  on  a  range  of  hills  which  more  or  less  extended 
from  a  bend  of  the  river  on  our  left  to  some  six  miles,  and 


THE  TWO  ARMIES  AT  FREDERICKSBURGH.  503 

across  the  Massaponax  River,  which  ran  at  right  angles  with 
the  Rappahannock,  and  formed  the  right  of  our  lines.  Iu 
truth,  it  might  be  said  that  the  landscape  from  these  hills  to 
the  river  was  like  an  amphitheatre ;  the  intrenched  Confederates 
having  all  the  boxes,  the  stage  being  the  valley  in  which  is 
placed  the  red-brick  town  of  Fredericksburgh.  The  Rappa- 
hannock is  seen  to  run  above  and  below  the  place ;  and,  except 
a  few  houses  scattered  here  and  there  over  the  scene,  there  is 
nothing  to  relieve  the  eye  from  the  bleak,  dry,  cold,  frosty,  and 
windy  aspect  of  the  whole.  All  the  woods  are  leafless,  and 
the  cold  dry  branches  rattle  in  the  piercing  winds  like  skeletons 
in  chains.  Few  fires  are  seen  to  burn  in  Fredericksburgh,  and 
smoke  ascends  but  seldom.  Our  men  are  quartered  in  deserted 
houses,  and  keep  vigilant  guard  along  the  river-bank,  both 
night  and  day;  and,  although  piercing  winds  and  sleet  and 
rain,  prevail,  the  active  picket  walks  his  post^  $nd  none  can 
move  without  being  sharply  challenged.  The  men  have  dug 
pits  along  the  river  to  conceal  themselves  under  fire  and  for 
shelter.  The  enemy  have  done  the  same ;  and  it  is  so  cold  and 
dreary  that  none  can  imagine  any  general  would  have  the  heart 
to  move  troops  in  weather  like  this,  when  guards  have  fre- 
quently have  been  found  frozen  and  dead  at  their  post. 

The  enemy's  position  and  strength  are  also  concealed ;  and 
they  likewise  can  look  down  into  the  town  from  the  Stafford 
Heights,  and  could  destroy  it  in  ten  minutes  with  the  formida- 
ble array  of  guns  and  batteries  which  overlook  and  are  pointed 
at  it.  During  cold,  frosty  nights,  we  can  hear  their  trains  run- 
ning from  Acquia  Creek,  and  they  can  hear  ours  also ;  for  guns 
of  heavy  calibre  and  all  munitions  of  war  are  being  rapidly 
brought  to  the  front  from  Richmond ;  and  every  hill  command- 
ing a  view  of  the  valley  at  our  feet  is  swept  by  cannon,  but  so 
concealed  by  undergrowth,  woods,  or  undulations,  that  tin 
enemy  cannot  detect  them. 

The  hills  to  our  extreme  left,  near  a  bend  of  the  river,  are 
crowned  by  the  residence  of  Dr.  Taylor;  to  the  right  of -these 
a  road  runs  from  Fredericksburgh  to  the  Wilderness  and  Chan- 
cellorsville ;  to  the  right  of  this  road  rise  Stansbury  Hill  and 
several  others ;  to  the  right  of  these  runs  a  plank  road  leading 
from  the  centre  of  the  town  through  our  left  centre ;  to  the 


504  BATTLE -FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

right  of  this  is  the  enceinte  called  Marye's  Hill.  Hazel  Creek 
runs  between  this  latter  position  and  Lee's  Hill,  which,  from 
its  altitude,  was  selected  for  head-quarters. 

The  Kichraond  railway  divided  our  left  under  Longstreet 
from  our  right  under  Jackson,  the  latter  being  strongly  posted 
on  a  series  of  hills  and  well  fortified ;  the  extreme  right  and 
right  flank  being  in  charge  of  Stuart.  The  force  of  Longstreet 
on  the  left  included  the  divisions  of  Eansom,  McLaws,  and 
Picket,  Anderson  being  on  Marye's  Hill ;  Cobb  being  posted 
behind  a  strong  stone  wall  at  the  right  base  of  the  latter,  com- 
manding all  approach  up  the  open  lands  of  the  Hazel  Creek, 
while  Hood  and  others  filled  up  the  space  to  the  railroad  where 
our  right  commenced  under  Ambrose  Hill,  Early,  and  others, 
up  to  Stuart,  who,  with  his  mounted  division,  light  artillery, 
and  infantry,  held  the  extreme  right  and  right  flank.  D.  H. 
Hill  was  helfl.  fn  reserve.  Heavy  batteries  protected  our  ex- 
tremes, right  and  left.  The  Washington  artillery  corps  was 
detailed  for  special  duty  at  Marye's  and  Lee's  Hills,  and  Colo- 
nel Walker  was  posted  on  our  right. 

The  distance  of  the  enceinte  from  town  was  not  more  than 
four  or  five  hundred  yards.  Other  places  on  the  right  and  left 
of  our  lines  were  a  considerable  distance  from  it  and  the  river ; 
but  in  the  more  exposed  positions  nearest  town,  long  lines  of 
breastworks  had  been  dug,  behind  which  our  men  could  be 
admirably  posted  when  necessity  demanded  it.  In  truth,  the 
position,  though  naturally  strong,  had  been  carefully  improved 
by  our  indefatigable  engineers,  and  batteries  were  numerous 'at 
all  points ;  so  that,  with  our  army  of  eighty  thousand,  we  could 
complacently  remain  undemonstrative  until  the  enemy  should 
foolishly  advance.  Pickets  from  various  brigades  were  scatter- 
ed up  and  down  the  riyer,  Barksdale's  Mississippi  troops  oc- 
cupying the  town.  Cavalry  patrols  were  frequent  at  all  points 
of  the  river,  closely  watching  the  enemy,  who,  down  the  stream 
at  Hamilton's  crossing,  were  particularly  busy,  as  if  preparing 
to  force  a  passage.  From  the  latter  point,  a  road  leads  round 
to  the  rear  of  our  right,  and  others  running  south  of  the  town 
passed  through  its  centre ;  so  that  much  attention  was  paid  to 
the  enemy's  manoeuvres,  for  the  threatened  attack  in  this 
quarter  was  the  most  practicable  and  scientific  they  could  have 
selected. 


FACETIOUSNESS  OP  OUR  OUTPOSTS.  505 


I 


Notwithstanding  frequent  demonstrations  it  was  evident  the 
enemy  were  disinclined  to  move ;  a  tardiness  which  very  much 
surprised  us,  as  Burnside's  sudden  and  rapid  change  of  base 
from  "Warrenton  had  led  many  to  believe  that  his  movements 
generally  would  be  expeditious. '  As  this  state  of  inaction  was 
distasteful  to  our  leaders,  and  particularly  so  to  Stuart  and  his 
restless  brigadiers,  cavalry  frequently  crossed  the  river,  and 
made  annoying  incursions  upon  the  Federal  rear,  and  effected 
all  manner  of  captures  without  hindrance  from  the  enemy. 
On  the  twenty-eighth  of  November  cavalry  crossed  by  one  of 
the  upper  fords  and  captured  several  squadrons  of  Pennsylvania 
horse  on  duty  ,at  the  outposts,  and  did  not  lose  a  man ;  for  the 
foe  meekly  surrendered  without  making  the  shadow  of  resist- 
ance. Fitz-Hugh  Lee  and  Hampton  also  frequently  distin- 
guished themselves ;  and,  operating  on  the  enemy's  line  of 
supply,  dashed  into  Dumfries  and  other  places,  dispersing  the 
guards,  and  making  a  clean  sweep  of  every  thing;  so  that, 
from  our  constant  boldness,  the  enemy  were  bewildered,  and 
knew  not  on  which  flank  to  look  for  Stuart's  ubiquitous  troop- 
ers ;  for  they  were  successively  here,  there,  and  everywhere, 
burning,  capturing,  annoying,  or  fighting,  and,  by  their  activi- 
ty and  nerve,  seemed  to  magnify  their  numbers  tenfold. 

The  first  week  in  cold,  bleak  December  had  passed  over  our 
cheerless  lines,  and  every  expedient  was  resorted  to  by  our 
troops  to  keep  themselves  warm.  "Wood  was  scarce  to  the 
front  in  many  places,  and  our  men  on  duty  could  be  seen 
blowing  their  fingers  and  holding  conversation  with  Federal 
guards  ;*  but,  on  the-  ninth  and  tenth,  unusual  activity  seemed 

*  Amusing  conversations  frequently  occurred  between  outposts  on  the  river 
banks:  A;,*^"/-*-* 

"  How  are  yon,  rebels?"  asked  a  ^anfcfle,  one  cold  morning,  blowing  his  finger*. 

"  Oh  !  not  very  good  to-day,"  was  the  reply.  "  We  have  suffered  an  awful  low! 
Jackson  has  resigned  !'' 

"  Jackson  resigned  !"  was  the  astonished  exclamation  in  rejoinder.  "  Why,  bow 
was  that?"  asked  the  Federals,  who  greatly  feared  the  very  name  of  old  Stonewall. 

"Oh!  he  resigned  because  they  removed  his  commissary-general,  and  bn 
wouldn't  stand  it." 

"His  commissary-general,  eh?  Then  who  was  he?"  they  inquired  in  much 
surprise. 

"  Banks !"  was  the  significant  reply. 

The  sarcasm  was  well  applied,  and  so  acutely  felt  by  the  enemy,  that  they  Im- 
mediately opened  fire  from  pure  vexation. 


506  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF  THE   SOUTH. 

to  prevail  on  the  Stafford  Heights,  and  outposts  brought  in 
word  that  during  the  night  heavy  wagon-trains  could  be  heard 
moving,  and  the  noise  and  cursing  of  teamsters  whipping  their 
horses,  mules,  and  oxen,  were  very  frequent  immediately  op- 
posite the  town.  This  was  explained  when,  on  the  eleventh, 
as  soon  as  the  fog  lifted,  our  men  in  town  espied  large  num- 
bers of  the  enemy  engaged  in  constructing  pontoon  bridges,  and 
immediately  opened  upon  them  a  galling  and  destructive  fire. 
From  their  screened  position,  it  was  impossible  to  touch  our 
men  with  gun-shot  or  rifle,  for  they  were  scattered  in  all  direc- 
tions, in  houses,  barns,  and  every  imaginable  place  where  shel- 
ter could  be  obtained.  The  incessant  fusilade  so  annoyed  the 
enemy  as  to  cause  the  total  suspension  of  their  bridge-building; 
and,  at  last,  several  field-pieces  were  brought  to  bear  upon  us 
for  some  time,  and  our  sharpshooters  desisted. 

Taking  advantage  of  this,  bridge-building  was  commenced 
again,  and  swarms  of  the  enemy  could  be  seen  like  magni- 
fied ants  moving  to  and  fro  with  beams  and  boats,  and 
a  thousand  etceteras  required  in  their  unpleasant  under- 
taking. Our  sharpshooters  recommenced  their  fire,  and  the 
enemy  retired.  Vexed  and  annoyed  at  our  impudence  and 
pertinacity,  they  pointed  more  than  a  hundred  guns  at  the 
town,  and  commenced  an  earth-shaking  cannonade ;  the  smoke 
and  flame  from  their  pieces  on  the  Stafford  Heights  were  so 
great  that  it  seemed  as  if  the  earth  was  vomiting  forth  sulphu- 
rous lava.  Houses  fell,  timbers  crashed,  dust  rose,  flames 
ascended,  and,  from  our  position  as  spectators  in  the  boxes  of 
this  amphitheatre,  it  seemed  as  if  we  were  innocently  gazing  at 
some  noisy  and  smoky  episode  of  Napoleon's  wars,  as  often 
represented  on  the  French  stage.  The  whole  town  seemed 
alive;  one  ran  here,  another  there.  Unlucky  citizens,  who 
remained  too  long,  or  had  screened  themselves  in  hopes  of  the 
enemy's  speedy  arrival,  now  came  forth  from  their  hiding- 
places,  and  not  a  few  Dutch  Jews  were  observed  panting  under 
heavy  loads  of  tobacco,  which  they  had  secreted.  Shells  of 
every  size  and  form  were  screaming  .and  whizzing  through  the 
air,  and  their  explosion  was  always  attended  by  a  sudden  up- 
rising of  beams,  dust,  doors,  chairs,  bedsteads,  and  the  like^ 
until  at  last  the  place  looked  like  a  vast  broker's  shop,  filled 
with  odds  and  ends  of  things  indescribable. 


THE  ENEMY  CROSS  THE   RIVER.  507 

How  our  valiant  pickets  fared  during  this  terrific  visitation, 
I  know  not ;  they  scorned  to  retreat,  and  still  maintained  an 
accurate  fire.  It  was  not  until  a  large  Federal  infantry  force 
had  crossed  above  and  below  town  that  they  withdrew  from 
their  covert  of  smoking  and  burning  ruins. 

Lee  seemed  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  aspect  of  affairs. 
Burnside  was  constructing  several  bridges  under  cover  of  the 
town,  in  which  they  hoped  to  conceal  any  force  that  crossed. 
Franklin  on  their  left  was  similarly  engaged  near  the  mouth  of 
the  Massaponax ;  and  Sumner  was  above  town  near  Falraouth, 
busy  in  the  same  occupation.  We  could  not  successfully  pre- 
vent the  construction  of  these  bridges — those  at  Fredericks- 
burgh  itself  were  the  most  numerous  and  important,  but  per- 
fectly hidden  from  our  view  by  the.  town  ;  and  it  is  possible, 
judging  from  his  inactivity,  that  Lee  was  not  desirous  of  mo- 
lesting their  labors,  but  too  happy  indeed  to  see  them  perfectly 
unconscious  of  the  coming  storm. 

During  the  eleventh  and  twelfth  the  enemy  were  rapidly 
crossing  at  the  various  bridges ;  and  we  could  see  them  mar- 
shalling their  hosts  in  the  valley.  Franklin's  wing  had  first 
crossed,  and  proceeded  to  form  line  parallel  with  the  stream ; 
his  left  in  full  force  close  to  the  Massaponax,  and  his  right  be- 
yond Deep  Eun  Brook.  Beyond  this  point  to  and  in  front  of 
the  town,  no  troops  appeared  in  numbers.  The  Federal  right, 
under  Sumner,  had  crossed  at  and  above  the  town  by  several 
bridges,  and  its  left  rested  close  to  the  city ;  so  that  the  entire 
left ,  and  *right  of  the  Federal  army  were  plainly  in  view,  jn 
columns  or  deployed ;  but  in  the  centre,  opposite  to  our  en- 
ceinte of  Marye's  Hill,  no  troops  appeared,  though  it  was  evident 
that  Fredericksburgh  literally  swarmed  with  them  ;  and  that  a 
few  well-directed  shells  could  have  caused  the  instant  and  noisy 
upheaving  of  the  whole  living,  motionless  mass  concealed  there. 
Federal  dispositions  continued  without  hindrance  on  our  part. 
Our  front  was  very  quiet  and  unpretending,  and,  as  we  peered 
over  breastworks  or  peeped  from  long  lines  of  rifle-pits  at  the 
dark  lines  wheeling  and  marching  in  open  ground,  we  could 
not  but  confess  that  their  generals  should  be  capable  of  accom- 
plishing something  astonishing  with  such  a  host  as  that,  sup- 
ported and  covered  as  it'was  by  numberless  batteries  on  the 
hills  and  bluffs  behind. 


508  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

Strict  and  vigilant  guards  were  numerously  posted  at  all 
•points  down  in  the  valley  during  night,  and  they  occasionally 
heard  the  Federal  countersigns  exchanged ;  but  the  greatest 
secrecy  marked  the  conduct  of  our  cavalry  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Massaponax,  for  it  was  uncertain  what  Franklin  might  attempt 
under  cover  of  the  night,  as  his  force  was  apparently  very 
large,  and  so  stationed  as  to  be  able  to  take  up  the  line  of 
march  to  our  right  rear,  should  it  have  been  determined  to 
open  the  engagement  in  that  manner. 

The  morning  of  December  thirteenth  dawned,  and  all  was 
feverish  expectation.  Noises  from  the  valley  and  loud-toned 
commands  told  of  Federal  leaders  marching  and  counter-march- 
ing in  the  fog  and.  mists.  None  now  doubted  the  certainty  of 
battle,  but  prepared  for  it  with  calmness  and  determination. 
The  rattle  of  picket-firing  on  our  right  gave  tokens  of  the  pre- 
lude, and  all  desired  that  the  sun  would  lift  the  foggy  veil  from 
the  valley.  Between  nine  and  ten  o'clock  the  view  was  clear, 
and  there  stood  our  enemies,  right,  left,  and  centre,  just  upon 
the  point  of  moving:  Couriers,  generals,  and  aides  were  pranc- 
ing and  dashing  about  in  the  valley,  and  as  our  mounted  men 
raced  to  and  fro  in  hot  haste  to  our  rear,  they  would  turn  a 
hasty  glance  at  the  imposing  scene  below  and  hurry  onwards. 
The  report  of  artillery  on  our  right,  and  the  rattle  of  rifles,  told 
of  an  engagement  which  increased  in  intensity  every  moment. 
Batteries  on  Stafford  Heights  opened  on  our  left  and  centre, 
and  numerous  shells  were  screaming  and  bursting  infill  direc- 
tions around  the  base  of  Marye's  and  Lee's  Hills.  Our  guns 
replied  coolly  and  deliberately,  and  hostile  shot  and  shell 
coursed  to  and  fro  overhead,  throwing  up  columns  and  clouds 
of  dust  wherever  they  fell.  The  Federal  right,  under  Sumner, 
was  the  especial  and  favorite  object  of  all  our  cannoniers,  and 
(as  an  artillery  officer  coolly  observed)  our  shell  fell  and  burst 
"beautifully"  among  their  closely-packed  brigades.  I  have 
heard  of  and  seen  "  daylight "  let  though  an  approaching  col- 
umn, but  never,  until  at  Fredericksburgh,  did  I  see  complete 
"  lanes  "  ploughed  out  of  human  bodies. 

It  was  now  near  noon,  and  the  crash  of  musketry  to  our 
right  told  that  Jackson  and  his  wing  were  fully  engaged,  and, 
as  usual,  repulsing  the  enemy  at  every  point ;  but  the  threaten- 


SLAUGHTER  AT  MARYE'S  HILL.  .509 

ing  aspect  of  the  foe  at  our  centre  and  left  drew  the  attention 
of  all  to  those  quarters. 

The  cannonade  from  Stafford  Heights  had  now  increased  to 
such  a  pitch  of  fury  that  none  doubted  its  object.  Their  at- 
tacking columns  began  to  move,  and  moments  seemed  like  ages 
of  suspense.  Our  fire  had  been  feeble,  but  now  that  their 
masses  came  forward — one  immediately  in  front,  and  one  on 
each  flank  of  Marye's  Hill — our  infantry  suddenly  rose  and 
poured  such  rapid  volleys  into  them  that  the  advance  was  im- 
peded by  their  own  dead.  As  for  our  cannon,  I  can  only  say 
that  they  could  not  miss  the  enemy,  whose  fearful  and  swift  de- 
struction was  appalling  to  see.  Unheeding  the  cannonade  from 
across  the  river,  the  Washington  artillery  corps  paid  exclusive 
attention  to  infantry  before  them,  and  shells  dropped  among 
their  masses,  making  fearful  rents  at  every  discharge.  The 
crackling  of  bursting  shells  and  sharp  ring  of  the  rifle  were  in- 
cessant— a  flank  fire  assailed  them  from  our  extreme  left,  so 
that  regiments  never  advanced  farther  than  to  the  base  of  our 
position ;  and  as  they  halted,  and  staggered  or  swayed,  and 
broke,  our  men,  from  breastworks  and  rifle-pits,  and  from  every 
imaginable  place,  were  pouring  into  their  bleeding  masses 
showers  of  small  shot. 

Again  and  again  were  the  enemy  re-formed,  and  advance 
succeeded  advance  as  fresh  regiments  rushed  over  heaps  of 
slain,  to  be  themselves  torn  in  an  instant  into  mangled  and 
bleeding  shreds.  The  position  was  unassailable— a  sheet  of 
flame  streamed  across  our  whole  front,  and  destroyed  every 
thing  mortal  that  approached  it.  Some  of  the  Federal  regi- 
ments marched  farther  than  others,  and  even  ascended  the 
"  rise,"  but  here  infantry  uprose  and  checked  tbem,  and  again 
would  the  enemy  pause,  feebly  struggle,  and  reel  back  into  the 
valley  exhausted  and  bleeding.  The  sight  was  horrible.  It 
was  not  a  scientific  battle,  but  a  wholesale  slaughter  of  human 
.beings  for  the  caprice  of  one  man,  who,  two  miles  across  the 
'river,  sat  upon  the  heights,  glass  in  hand,  complacently  viewing 
the  awful  panorama  below.* 

*  Northern  accounts  stated  that  Burnside  eat  on  the  heights  round  the  "  Phillips 
House  "  and  attentively  scanned  the  whole  field  with  a  "strong  glut" 
•dded,' judging  from  the  fearful  slaughter,  that  the  "Btrong  glass  »  allu 
"  possibly  one  of  double  extra  whisky  !" 


610  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

But  if  the  enemy  had  mercilessly  sacrificed  life  •  in  their  in- 
sane attempt  to  storm  Marye's  Hill,  they  had  been  extremely 
busy,  likewise,  before  other  parts  of  our  position.  It  was  con- 
ceived possible  to  flank  the  enceinte  by  moving  up  the  open 
grounds  of  the  Hazel  Creek,  and  sever  our  right  and  left.  A 
large  body  was  soon  espied  moving  up  to  the  stone  wall  which 
protected  that  position,  and  were  unmolested  in  their  advance, 
for  Cobb  carefully  screened  his  men,  and  although  the  Federal 
batteries  covered  this  movement,  their  shot  and  shell  did 
trifling  damage ;  nor  did  our  pieces  on  Marye's  Hill,  Lee's 
Hill,  or  Hill's  position  south  of  the  railroad,  give  any  token 
of  resistance.  The  Federal  advance,  therefore,  was  quickly  ac- 
complished; but  when  the  enemy  came  sufficiently  near,  our 
troops  rose  up  from  their  ambuscade,  and  batteries  acting  in 
concert,  poured  such  terrific  volleys  upon  them  from  front 
and  flanks  that  they  retreated  in  amazement  and  confusion. 
Like  the  attacks  on  our  "left,  on  Marye's  Hill,  and  elsewhere, 
they  repeatedly  re-formed  and  attempted  other  advances ;  but 
the  delivery  of  our  rifle  and  artillery  fire  was  so  cool,  regular, 
and  destructive,  that  they  gave  up  the  assault  in  despair. 
Nothing  could  surpass  the  consummate  steadiness  of  our 
troops  in  face  of  these  successive  attacks.  Not  more  than 
one  third  were  in  actual  line  of  battle,  for  the  rest  were  drawn 
up  to  the  rear,  ready  to  be  sent  in  any  direction  required ;  but 
what  few  were  in  front  looked  upon  the  affair  as  virtually  set- 
tled, and  went  to  work  as  indifferently  as  butchers  engaged  for 
a  busy  day's  work  in  the  shambles.  Ambrose  Hill's  position 
was  also  assaulted  early  in  the  day,  and  report  said  that  some  of 
his  young  troops  had  given  way ;  but  the  gap  thus  occasioned 
in  his  line  wa»  soon  filled  up.  The  enemy,  who  had  obtained 
a  footing  in  woods  to  his  front,  were  driven  thence  with  such 
fury  that  the  entire  Federal  line  from  left  to  right  was  forced 
into  the  valley ;  and  Stuart's,  "Walker's,  and  Walton's  batte- 
ries pelted  them  with  shot  and  shell  from  front  and  flanks 
without  mercy. 

The  battle  thus  far  had  prospered  with  us ;  the  enemy  had 
frequently  paused  and  then  attacked  again,  but  the  mounds  of 
dead  on  every  hill-side,  and  numerous  black  and  motionless 
spots  which  dotted  all  our  front,  even  to  the  streets  of  Fred- 


PAUSE  IN  THE  BATTLE.  511 

ericksburgh,  gave  sickening  evidence  of  their  fearful  lose  and 
blind  insanity.  It  was  now  far  past  noon,  and  the  sun  was 
fast  sinking  in  the  west ;  our  genera^  were  restless  and  active 
as  ever ;  cannon  still  belched  forth  from  either  side,  but  from 
the  long  pause  and  re-formation  going  on  among  the  dark  lines 
below,  it  was  conjectured  they  would  no.t  desist  from  their  mad 
project  until  another  grand  assault  had  been  attempted.  Their 
force  was  still  formidable  in  appearance,  but  evidently  dispirit- 
ed, and  the  continual  and  rapid  movements  of  mounted  officers 
in  all  directions,  gave  evidence  of  their  industry  and  anxiety 
to  restore  discipline,  confidence,  and  courage. 

Long  lines  of  stretcher-bearers,  thus  early  in  the  day,  were 
slowly  winding  in  sorrowful  procession  in  all  directions,  while 
a  multitude  of  ambulances,  with  yellow  flags  flying,  could  be 
discerned  winding  over  the  hills  beyond  the  river.  The  town 
seemed  crowded  with  troops,  for  we  could  occasionally  catch 
glimpses  of  them  as  their  bayonets  flashed  in  the  many  streets, 
and  from  church-steeples,  house-tops,  and  on  the  Stafford 
Heights,  their  signal  corps  was  busy  in  telegraphing  orders 
from  point  to  point.  Lee,  Longstreet,  and  Jackson,  had  been 
in  frequent  conference  during  the  day ;  but  the  illustrious 
heroes  appeared  so  calm,  indifferent,  and  smiling,  that  as 
they  slowly  walked  their  horses  from  point  to  point,  receiv- 
ing messages  or  giving  orders,  it  was  clear  they  were  confi- 
dent of  a  successful  issue  to  our  laborious  day's  work  of 
slaughter. 

When  the  first  gun  had  opened  in  the  morning,  Lee  slowly 
trotted  along  our  whole  front,  and  took  up  Lis  position  on  the 
extreme  right  of  our  lines,  where  Stuart  and  his  horse  artillery 
were  making  sad  havoc  with  Franklin's  left  flank.  It  was  im- 
agined by  all  that  the  enemy  would  deliver  a  grand  assault 
upon  Jackson's  position,  and  endeavor  to  penetrate  or  sever  it 
along  the  roads  which  lead  around  and  through  it  at  several 
points ;  but  when  Lee  observed  the  feebleness  of  their  attack 
in  that  quarter,  arid  how  easily  they  were  driven  pell-mell  into 
the  valley  again,  he  retraced  his  steps  and  took  his  stand  in 
full  view  of  Marye's  Hill.  On  Lee's  Hill  were  several  very 
large  guns,  recently  made  at  Richmond,  which  maintaii 
furious  roar  all  day,  and  seemed  to  be  a  favorite  mark  for  the 


612  BATTLE-FIELDS   OF   THE   SOUTH. 

foe,  who,  from  their  elevation  on  Stafford  Heights,  threw  over 
hundreds  of  complimentary  shell,  but  without  doing  more 
damage  than  blowing  up  vast  heaps  of  earth.  It  cannot  be 
denied,  however,  that  Federal  artillerists  maintained  an  accur- 
ate and  steady  fire  upon  our  whole  front,  but  the  troops  ex- 
posed were  so  few  that  little  damage  was  done  to  life  or  limb. 
Their  pieces  were  directed  at  a  few  sharpshooters  behind  earth 
embankments,  ours  were  pointed  at  dense  masses  of  men;' 
hence  it  was  that  not  one  out  of  ten  shells  ever  inflicted  dam- 
age upon  us ;  but  every  fragment  of  our  grape  made  a  rent 
in  their  attacking  columns,  and  left  its  monument  of  bleed- 
ing carcasses. 

'"  Their  practice  is  good,"  said  a  distinguished  artillery  offi 
cer,  viewing  shells  fall  and  explode  a  few  feet  below  him  round 
the  base  of  Marye's  Hill,  and  among  our  line  of  busy  sharp- 
shooters. 

"Yes,  it  is  excellent,"  was  the  rejoinder  from  an  old  briga- 
dier, who,  with  slouched  felt  hat  and  cigar,  was  gazing  on  the 
scene  below  with  much  interest.  "  It  is  well,  colonel,"  he  / 
added,  '"'  that  Lee  has  kept  two  thirds  of  his  troops  from 
the  front,  or  we  should  lose  considerably.  How  many  pieces 
have  they,  think  you,  on  the  heights  ?" 

"  I  have  been  narrowly  scrutinizing  their  force  all  day, 
General,  and  imagine  they  have  considerably  more  than  one 
hundred  thousand  men  before  us,  and  over  three  hundred 
guns.  I  should  judge  that  one  hundred  of  the  latter  are 
on  the  heights,  and  certainly  many  of  them  are  of  heavy 
calibre." 

One  or  two  shells  thrown  with  great  rapidity  and  precision 
fell  within  a  few  feet  of  these  officers,  who  took  the  hint  and 
moved  away.  I  learned  that  the  infantry  attack  on  Hill's  and 
Cobb's  positions  had  been  very  severe,  and  was  desperately 
maintained  by  both  sides  for  some  time,  but  except  the  fall  of 
General  Maxey  Gregg,*  who  was  shot  in  the  side  and  spine 
while  leading  on  his  bra^e  South-Carolinian's,  I  had  not  heard 
of  any  casualties  among  our  officers.  In  truth,  our  loss  along 
the  whole  line  was  remarkably  small,  and  amazed  many  who 

*  This  officer, when  wounded,  said:  "Tell  the  Governor  (of  his  native  State)  if  I 
am  to  die  this  time,  I  cheerfully  yield  my  life  for  the  independence  of  South-Caro- 
Una!" 


THE   LAST  FEDERAL  ATTACK.  513 

could  not  conceive  it  possible  that  so  many  shot  and  shell  IKK! 
been  hurled  at  us,  and  with  such  little  effect. 

The  troops  we  had  seen  all  day  in  the  town  now  advanced 
into  the  valley  and  deployed.  Every  preparation  was  seem- 
ingly perfected  for  a  general  and  final  advance.  Skirmishers 
fell  back  and  rallied  on  their  regiments ;  artillery  opened  again 
upon  their  columns  from  every  direction,  and  numerous  well- 
served  Federal  batteries  returned  our  fire  with  a  deafening  roar. 
Dust  and  shells  were  flying  in  all  directions,  but  on  came  that 
glittering  mass  of  bayonets,  extending  for  miles  in  front,  and 
again  they  assailed  our  position  with  spirit  and  determination ; 
but  melting  ranks  and  confusion,  indecision,  and  exhaustion, 
were  more  than  men  could  bear,  and  again  they  slowly  retired 
to  the  river's  edge,  broken,  dispirited,  and  beaten. 

This  seemed  to  be  their  last  attempt,  and,  except  a  continual 
cannonade,  all  operations  ceased.  The  sun  had  dipped  beyond 
the  hills,  and  a  thick  white  vapory  fog  slowly  fell  along  the 
whole  river,  screening  their  force  and  movements  from  view ; 
but  to  guard  against  all  surprise,  pickets  and  sharpshooters  were 
thickly  posted  in  the  valley,  which  now  became  more  cloudy 
and  obscure,  so  that,  except  to  the  immediate  front  of  Marye's 
Hill,  no  movement  of  the  enemy  could  be  well  discovered. 
Trickery  was  expected,  and  strict  guard  maintained  at  all 
points.  Since  the  artillery  ceased,  nothing  could  be  heard 
except  the  groans  of  unhappy,  mangled,  wounded,  and  dying 
thousands,  who  lay  in  unsightly  groups  all  around  our  various 
positions  and  at  the  base  of  the  hills.  An  alarm  was  soon 
given  of  the  enemy's  approach,  and  our  whole  line  was  again 
on  the  alert,  when  rapid  firing  broke  out  at  the  right  base  of 
Marye's  Hill,  which  Cobb  had  so  well  defended  from  behind 
the  stone  fence.  It  appeared  that  a  heavy  body  of  the  enemy 
had  quietly  ascended  up  the  banks  of  the  Hazel  under  cover 
of  the  evening,  and  thought  to  seize  that  position,  thus  getting 
into  the  rear  of  Marye's  Hill ;  but  they  were  received  so  coolly, 
and  with  such  a  destructive  fire,  that  they  retreated  with  the 
utmost  expedition  and  in  the  greatest  confusion. 

Thus  the  slaughter  at  Fredericksburgh  closed.  Sumner, 
Hooker,  Wilcox,  Meagher,  French,  and  a  host  of  other  leaders, 
had  been  routed  on  our  centre  and  left  —  Franklin,  Meade, 
33 


514  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOFTH. 

Jackson,  Bayard,  and  Stoneman,  had  met  -with  a  fearful  re- 
pulse on  the  right ;  for  miles  their  dead  and  wounded  lined  the 
front  of  our  works,  and  were  scattered  up  and  down  the  valley 
in  great  profusion ;  but  even  nature  seemed  shocked  at  such 
frightful  carnage,  and  mercifully  threw  a  veil  of  fog  and  dark- 
ness over  the  crimsoned  valley. 

Cold  and  bitter  as  was  that  bleak  December  night — cheerless 
and  sad  to  thousands  in  the  valley,  whose  oozing  wounds  were 
frosted  and  frozen  —  few  went  forth  to  assist  them,  save  from 
our  own  lines ;  and  there  those  frightful  masses  lay  huddled 
together,  the  dying  with  the  dead ;  some  jerking  in  the  last 
throes  of  death,  others  gasping  for  water,  writhing  with  agony, 
laughing  deliriously,  cursing  demonically  in  all  the  tongues  of 
Europe.  Save  for  the  quick,  sharp  challenge  of  vigilant  pick- 
ets posted  in  the  valley,  the  lightsome  footfalls  of  relief  guards, 
gliding  like  shadows  through  the  mists  in  their  journeys  to  the 
front,  the  moans  ascending  on  every  hand,  and  the  click  of 
spades  in  the  hands  of  those  strengthening  breastworks,  all  had 
subsided  into  a  death-like  calm.  None  unaccustomed  to  war 
would  imagine  that  so  many  thousands  of  men  were  grouped 
closely  together  in  the  valley  or  on  the  hills  ready  to  renew  the 
awful  scenes  just  enacted.  Exhausted  and  unstrung,  our  men 
were  fast  asleep,  and  many  of  them  far  to  the  front  among  the 
dead  and  dying ;  yet  let  me  not  deny  that,  wearied  though  we 
were,  the  distant  moan  or  faltering  supplication  often  caused  us 
to  rise  and  give  relief  to  some  expiring  enemy.  Most  of  our 
own  men  had  been  cared  for,  and  taken  to  the  rear,  but  heaps 
upon  heaps  of  the  foe  were  scattered  in  every  direction,  and  one 
could  not  move  a  dozen  yards  without  stumbling  against  some 
voiceless,  inanimate  carcase,  or  slipping  in  pools  of  blood  or 
scattered  entrails. 

Such -is  war — "glorious"  \far — glorious  indeed  when  troops 
had  fought  as  ours  had  done  for  liberty  and  birthright,  but  in 
every  other  sense  the  most  horrible  and  lamentable  curse  that 
God  could  permit  his  people  to  inflict  on  each  other ! 

Morning  dawned,  the  mists  arose,  and  still  the  enemy  were 
there.  No  token  gave  indications  of  a  further  advance.  The 
whole  day  passed  without  a  movement  of  any  kind,  and  no  dis- 
position seemed  to  be  made  for  the  care  of  the  enemy's  dead  or 


RETREAT  OF  BUBNSIDE.  51f> 

wounded.  In  pure  compassion  for  the  heart-rending  spectacle 
before  us,  many  of  the  sufferers  were  collected  and  attended  to 
by  our  surgeons,  but  as  none  knew  at  what  moment  hostilities 
might  again  re-commence,  we  could  not  enter  heartily  into  the 
work  of  charity.  Many  of  our  men  were  never  allowed  to  be 
exposed  in  front,  and  the  few  on  duty  there  were  for  the  most 
part  employed  in  repairing  old  or  building  new  breastworks. 

Next  day  passed  as  the  former  one,  and  still  no  signs  of  the 
enemy's  coming.  Their  lines  were  apparently  in  excellent  order, 
and  the  Stafford  Heights  frowned  ominously  with  additional 
batteries ;  so  that  had  we  advanced  into  the  valley,  a  fearful 
cannonade  would  have  assailed  us.  In  the  evening,  we  all 
imagined  that  the  morning  would  surely  usher  in  a  decisive 
engagement,  whether  offensive  or  defensive  on  our  part;  but 
during  night  a  fearful  storm  arose,  so  that  we  could  neither 
hear  nor  see  our  own  patrols,  and  as  morning  advanced,  and 
the  valley  cleared,  we  discovered  that  the  whole  Federal  army 
had  escaped  under  cover  of  night,  and  were  safely  on  the 
north  bank  again. 

When  the  enemy's  retreat  became  known  to  our  army,  loud 
yells  rent  the  sky,  and  must  have  been  plainly  audible  to  Burn- 
side's  forces  across  the  river ;  but  whether  these  were  indicative 
of  rage  or  pleasure  at  the  retreat  I  cannot  imagine,  but  fancy 
they  arose  from  a  commixture  of  both  those  feelings.  It  soon 
became  known  that  a  convention  had  been  entered  into  for  the 
burial  of  dead,  and  the  valley  swarmed  with  our  troops,  who 
were  speedily  engaged  in  the  work  of  interment ;  but  when  I 
visited  the  town,  and  beheld  the  sad  havoc  done  there  by  the 
Vandals,  I  almost  felt  sorry  to  think  I  had  ever  given  a  cup  of 
water  to  their  wounded  and  dying.  Every  house  was  gutted 
and  robbed ;  furniture,  bedding,  and  household  goods  of  every 
kind  were  maliciously  broken  and  scattered  through  the  streets ; 
doors,  windows,  banks,  churches,  school-houses,  all  were  de- 
stroyed or  despoiled,  while  in  every  dwelling,  amid  pools  of 
blood,  were  laid  their  dead  and  dying,  whose  pallid  faces,  star- 
ing eyes,  gaping  wounds,  and  frigid  limbs,  twisted  into  fright- 
ful distortions,  met  the  Southern  soldier  at  every  turn  in  this 
once  pleasant  and  hospitable  town,  so  wilfully  destroyed.  Tin- 
bombardment  had  done  great  mischief;  houses  were  tottering 
to  their  foundations,  and  everywhere  gave  proof  of  the  passage 


516  BATTLE-FIELDS  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

of  shell  and  bullet  among  smouldering  ruins;  but  it  remained 
for  these  valiant  invaders  to  give  a  finishing  touch  to  their  bar- 
barism by  despoiling  and  desecrating  churches,  accumulating 
filth  in  the  holiest  of  places,  wantonly  destroying  all  that  came 
to  hand,  and  then  leaving  their  dead  and  wounded  to  the  care 
of  those  whose  residence  or  property  it  had  once  been. 

I  have  read  of  Goths  and  Vandals,  of  Huns  and  Danes,  but 
never  could  I  have  conceived  of  a  boastful  enemy,  laying  claims 
to  the  highest  civilization,  capable  of  exhibiting  such  low  caste 
on  the  battle-field,  or  so  much  petty  malice  among  an  unoffend- 
ing people,  as  these  same  hordes  of  hypocritical  Yankees, 
whom  it  has  been  my  fortune  to  meet  in  a  short  but  exciting 
military  career  from  Bull  Eun  to  Fredericksburgh.'* 

*  The  Confederate  force  at  Fredericksburgh  has  been  estimated  at  eighty  thou- 
sand, with  three  hundred  guns,  of  all  calibres.  Our  total  casualties  amounted  to 
two  thousand  or  twenty-five  hundred.  Among  the  killed  were  General  Maxey 
Gregg,  of  South-Carolina ;  and  among  the  wounded,  Generals  Hood,  Cobb,  and 
Jenkins. 

Burnside's  forces,  according  to  Washington  reports,  amounted  to  one  hundred 
and  forty  thousand  or  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  men,  with  three  hundred 
guns.  It  was  paraded  at  the  North,  before  the  slaughter,  that  Burnside  commanded 
the  finest  army  ever  raised,  and  that  it  included  all  the  "regulars"  and  "  veterans" 
of  the  service,  who  had  been  expressly  gathered  in  order  to  insure  success.  Their 
total  loss  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  has  been  placed  at  from  fifteen  thousand 
to  twenty  thousand  by  Northern  journals  of  respectability.  Among  their  killed 
were  General  Bayard,  chief  of  cavalry,  and  General  Jackson.  Among  the  wounded, 
General  Stoneman,  General  Vinton,  General  Gibbons,  General  Caldwell,  General 
Meagher,  General  Kimball,  and  others.  This  defeat  and  slaughter  sent  such  a 
thrill  of  horror  through  all  classes  at  the  North,  that  official  inquiry  was  demanded, 
when  it  appeared  that  General  Sumner,  of  the  right  wing,  General  Franklin,  of  the 
left,  and  General  Hooker,  of  the  centre,  had  decided  against  the  movement  in  a 
council  of  war,  but  that  Burnside  did  not  heed  their  advice,  but  resolved  on  cross- 
ing ;  thinking  that  through  feints  made  lower  down  the  river  he  had  deceived  Lee 
as  to  his  true  designs,  and  that  troops  being  sent  in  that  direction,  the  Confederate 
left  and  centre  would  be  weak  to  any  large  assaulting  force.  The  committee  of  in- 
quiry sent  from  Washington  greatly  underrated  the  Federal  losses.  They  say  in 
their  report  that  "they  are  well  pleased  with  what  they  saw,  and  regard  the  result 
as  infinitely  less  serious  than  was  previously  apprehended.  It  appears  now  that  the 
total  casualties  will  hardly  exceed  ten  thousand.  Of  these  about  one  thousand 
were  killed ;  some  seventeen  hundred  were  so  badly  wounded  that  two  thirds  of 
them  will  die  of  their  wounds,  and  the  rest  will  be  permanently  disabled.  Of  the 
others,  the  wounds  are  more  or  less  serious;  but  a  majority  are  expected  to  recover 
and  be  sigaru  fit  for  duty.  It  has  been  ascertained  that  about  eighty-one  per  cent 
of  the  wounds  were  occasioned  by  Minie"  balls,  fifteen  and  a  half  per  cent  by  shells, 
and  three  and  a  half  per  cent  by  round  shot"  Such  was  the  destruction  of  hu- 


LOSSES   AT   FKEDEIUCKSBURGH.  517 

man  life  that  Federal  accounts  mention  whole  divisions  which  could  muster  but  a 
few  hundreds  after  the  battle.  Some  regiments  were  decimated,  and  others  had 
not  more  than  a  company  left  to  answer  roll-call !  Although  they  had  fitting 
opportunities  to  bury  part  of  their  dead  subsequent  to  the  battle,  that  unpleasant 
office  was  left  to  us,  for  the  most  part ;  and  to  deceive  us  as  to  their  retreat,  th«-y 
propped  up  dead  bodies  to  counterfeit  sentinels,  in  many  places,  with  placards  fast- 
ened to  them,  ridiculing  and  cursing  the  "rebels"  who  buried  them.  Thia  was 
very  decent  and  valiant  conduct  certainly,  and  is  worthy  of  record. 


10  3  07 


Form  L-!>     ' 
2.-!lli-10,'44(2J91) 


THE  LIBRARY 
SRSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


A    001  155  654     5 


8 

470.2 

B32 


